Religious dance at western Japan temple

Religious dance at western Japan temple

An "Otaiya" religious dance is performed at Buddhist Shingon-sect Kongobu-ji temple on Mt. Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 17, 2025, in honor of the sect's founder Kukai (774-835), posthumously known as Kobo Daishi.

Religious dance at western Japan temple

Religious dance at western Japan temple

An "Otaiya" religious dance is performed at Buddhist Shingon-sect Kongobu-ji temple on Mt. Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 17, 2025, in honor of the sect's founder Kukai (774-835), posthumously known as Kobo Daishi.

Religious Dance in Xining

Religious Dance in Xining

QINGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 11, 2025 - A religious dance ceremony is held at the Tibetan Buddhist temple of Tar in Xining, Qinghai province, China, Feb. 11, 2025.

Religious Dance in Xining

Religious Dance in Xining

QINGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 11, 2025 - A religious dance ceremony is held at the Tibetan Buddhist temple of Tar in Xining, Qinghai province, China, Feb. 11, 2025.

Religious Dance in Xining

Religious Dance in Xining

QINGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 11, 2025 - A religious dance ceremony is held at the Tibetan Buddhist temple of Tar in Xining, Qinghai province, China, Feb. 11, 2025.

Religious Dance in Xining

Religious Dance in Xining

QINGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 11, 2025 - A religious dance ceremony is held at the Tibetan Buddhist temple of Tar in Xining, Qinghai province, China, Feb. 11, 2025.

Religious Dance in Xining

Religious Dance in Xining

QINGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 11, 2025 - A religious dance ceremony is held at the Tibetan Buddhist temple of Tar in Xining, Qinghai province, China, Feb. 11, 2025.

Religious Dance in Xining

Religious Dance in Xining

QINGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 11, 2025 - A religious dance ceremony is held at the Tibetan Buddhist temple of Tar in Xining, Qinghai province, China, Feb. 11, 2025.

Religious Dance in Xining

Religious Dance in Xining

QINGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 11, 2025 - A religious dance ceremony is held at the Tibetan Buddhist temple of Tar in Xining, Qinghai province, China, Feb. 11, 2025.

Religious Dance in Xining

Religious Dance in Xining

QINGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 11, 2025 - A religious dance ceremony is held at the Tibetan Buddhist temple of Tar in Xining, Qinghai province, China, Feb. 11, 2025.

Religious Dance in Xining

Religious Dance in Xining

QINGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 11, 2025 - A religious dance ceremony is held at the Tibetan Buddhist temple of Tar in Xining, Qinghai province, China, Feb. 11, 2025.

Religious Dance in Xining

Religious Dance in Xining

QINGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 11, 2025 - A religious dance ceremony is held at the Tibetan Buddhist temple of Tar in Xining, Qinghai province, China, Feb. 11, 2025.

Religious Dance in Xining

Religious Dance in Xining

QINGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 11, 2025 - A religious dance ceremony is held at the Tibetan Buddhist temple of Tar in Xining, Qinghai province, China, Feb. 11, 2025.

Religious Dance in Xining

Religious Dance in Xining

QINGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 11, 2025 - A religious dance ceremony is held at the Tibetan Buddhist temple of Tar in Xining, Qinghai province, China, Feb. 11, 2025.

Religious Dance in Xining

Religious Dance in Xining

QINGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 11, 2025 - A religious dance ceremony is held at the Tibetan Buddhist temple of Tar in Xining, Qinghai province, China, Feb. 11, 2025.

Religious Dance in Xining

Religious Dance in Xining

QINGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 11, 2025 - A religious dance ceremony is held at the Tibetan Buddhist temple of Tar in Xining, Qinghai province, China, Feb. 11, 2025.

Religious Dance in Xining

Religious Dance in Xining

QINGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 11, 2025 - A religious dance ceremony is held at the Tibetan Buddhist temple of Tar in Xining, Qinghai province, China, Feb. 11, 2025.

Religious Dance in Xining

Religious Dance in Xining

QINGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 11, 2025 - A religious dance ceremony is held at the Tibetan Buddhist temple of Tar in Xining, Qinghai province, China, Feb. 11, 2025.

Religious Dance in Xining

Religious Dance in Xining

QINGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 11, 2025 - A religious dance ceremony is held at the Tibetan Buddhist temple of Tar in Xining, Qinghai province, China, Feb. 11, 2025.

French Minister Accuses Benzema Of Muslim Brotherhood

French Minister Accuses Benzema Of Muslim Brotherhood

File photo - French football player Karim Benzema is seen dancing the traditional ‘aardha’, sometimes also known as the sword dance’, as he celebrates with his club ‘Al-Ittihad’, the Saudi National Day (September 23), in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on September 27, 2023. Benzema is wearing traditional Saudi clothes : a ghutra or keffieh on his head, a white dishdasha or thobe. 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema finds himself mired in political controversy amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Speaking to French outlet CNews on Monday, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin accused Benzema of having connections to the Muslim Brotherhood, a religious and political group which France considers a terrorist organization. In the televised interview, Darmanin said: “We have closed 1,100 Islamist establishments. And in recent weeks, I’ve been particularly interested, Mr. Benzema is linked, we all know it, notoriously with the Muslim Brotherhood. Photo by Balkis Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

French Minister Accuses Benzema Of Muslim Brotherhood

French Minister Accuses Benzema Of Muslim Brotherhood

File photo - French football player Karim Benzema is seen dancing the traditional ‘aardha’, sometimes also known as the sword dance’, as he celebrates with his club ‘Al-Ittihad’, the Saudi National Day (September 23), in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on September 27, 2023. Benzema is wearing traditional Saudi clothes : a ghutra or keffieh on his head, a white dishdasha or thobe. 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema finds himself mired in political controversy amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Speaking to French outlet CNews on Monday, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin accused Benzema of having connections to the Muslim Brotherhood, a religious and political group which France considers a terrorist organization. In the televised interview, Darmanin said: “We have closed 1,100 Islamist establishments. And in recent weeks, I’ve been particularly interested, Mr. Benzema is linked, we all know it, notoriously with the Muslim Brotherhood. Photo by Balkis Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

French Minister Accuses Benzema Of Muslim Brotherhood

French Minister Accuses Benzema Of Muslim Brotherhood

File photo - French football player Karim Benzema is seen dancing the traditional ‘aardha’, sometimes also known as the sword dance’, as he celebrates with his club ‘Al-Ittihad’, the Saudi National Day (September 23), in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on September 27, 2023. Benzema is wearing traditional Saudi clothes : a ghutra or keffieh on his head, a white dishdasha or thobe. 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema finds himself mired in political controversy amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Speaking to French outlet CNews on Monday, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin accused Benzema of having connections to the Muslim Brotherhood, a religious and political group which France considers a terrorist organization. In the televised interview, Darmanin said: “We have closed 1,100 Islamist establishments. And in recent weeks, I’ve been particularly interested, Mr. Benzema is linked, we all know it, notoriously with the Muslim Brotherhood. Photo by Balkis Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

French Minister Accuses Benzema Of Muslim Brotherhood

French Minister Accuses Benzema Of Muslim Brotherhood

File photo - French football player Karim Benzema is seen dancing the traditional ‘aardha’, sometimes also known as the sword dance’, as he celebrates with his club ‘Al-Ittihad’, the Saudi National Day (September 23), in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on September 27, 2023. Benzema is wearing traditional Saudi clothes : a ghutra or keffieh on his head, a white dishdasha or thobe. 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema finds himself mired in political controversy amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Speaking to French outlet CNews on Monday, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin accused Benzema of having connections to the Muslim Brotherhood, a religious and political group which France considers a terrorist organization. In the televised interview, Darmanin said: “We have closed 1,100 Islamist establishments. And in recent weeks, I’ve been particularly interested, Mr. Benzema is linked, we all know it, notoriously with the Muslim Brotherhood. Photo by Balkis Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

French Minister Accuses Benzema Of Muslim Brotherhood

French Minister Accuses Benzema Of Muslim Brotherhood

File photo - French football player Karim Benzema is seen dancing the traditional ‘aardha’, sometimes also known as the sword dance’, as he celebrates with his club ‘Al-Ittihad’, the Saudi National Day (September 23), in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on September 27, 2023. Benzema is wearing traditional Saudi clothes : a ghutra or keffieh on his head, a white dishdasha or thobe. 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema finds himself mired in political controversy amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Speaking to French outlet CNews on Monday, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin accused Benzema of having connections to the Muslim Brotherhood, a religious and political group which France considers a terrorist organization. In the televised interview, Darmanin said: “We have closed 1,100 Islamist establishments. And in recent weeks, I’ve been particularly interested, Mr. Benzema is linked, we all know it, notoriously with the Muslim Brotherhood. Photo by Balkis Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

Israel Judicial Overhaul Protests

Israel Judicial Overhaul Protests

Jerusalem, Israel. Marchers dance in the Jerusalem Pride Parade that happened on June 1, 2023. Every year, the Pride Parade is especially tense in Jerusalem in light of the large ultra-orthodox and religious community. But this year, the parade was especially tense and secured by the police, in light of the demonstrations against the Judicial Overhaul and the conservative direction the government heads. Demonstrations against the current government broke out in January, 2023, claiming that the new government is promoting Judicial Overhaul laws. Photo by Yahel Gazit/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Primary school students in China's Guangxi practice traditional drum dance

STORY: Primary school students in China's Guangxi practice traditional drum dance DATELINE: April 3, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:43 LOCATION: NANNING, China CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of the students practicing the traditional bronze drum dance STORYLINE: Students at the Wangshang Primary School of Lihu Yao Township of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have been practicing the traditional bronze drum dance during the noon break and extracurricular time. It's part of the local education authorities' efforts to promote intangible cultural heritage. The bronze drum dance is popular among Baiku Yao, a branch of the Yao ethnic group in Guangxi. The dance contains many connotations, spanning the Baiku Yao's history, culture, folk customs, and religious beliefs. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nanning, China. (XHTV)

CHINA-GANSU-XIAHE-LABRANG MONASTERY-DANCE (CN)

CHINA-GANSU-XIAHE-LABRANG MONASTERY-DANCE (CN)

(230204) -- XIAHE, Feb. 4, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A monk band accompanies the religious dance performed by masked monks during a ritual at the Labrang Monastery in Xiahe County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Feb. 4, 2023. The ritual was held here on Saturday to pray for good luck in the new year. (Xinhua/Zhang Zhimin)

CHINA-GANSU-XIAHE-LABRANG MONASTERY-DANCE (CN)

CHINA-GANSU-XIAHE-LABRANG MONASTERY-DANCE (CN)

(230204) -- XIAHE, Feb. 4, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Masked monks perform religious dance during a ritual at the Labrang Monastery in Xiahe County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Feb. 4, 2023. The ritual was held here on Saturday to pray for good luck in the new year. (Xinhua/Zhang Zhimin)

CHINA-GANSU-XIAHE-LABRANG MONASTERY-DANCE (CN)

CHINA-GANSU-XIAHE-LABRANG MONASTERY-DANCE (CN)

(230204) -- XIAHE, Feb. 4, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This aerial photo taken on Feb. 4, 2023 shows masked monks performing religious dance during a ritual at the Labrang Monastery in Xiahe County, northwest China's Gansu Province. The ritual was held here on Saturday to pray for good luck in the new year. (Xinhua/Zhang Zhimin)

CHINA-GANSU-XIAHE-LABRANG MONASTERY-DANCE (CN)

CHINA-GANSU-XIAHE-LABRANG MONASTERY-DANCE (CN)

(230204) -- XIAHE, Feb. 4, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This aerial photo taken on Feb. 4, 2023 shows masked monks performing religious dance during a ritual at the Labrang Monastery in Xiahe County, northwest China's Gansu Province. The ritual was held here on Saturday to pray for good luck in the new year. (Xinhua/Zhang Zhimin)

CHINA-GANSU-XIAHE-LABRANG MONASTERY-DANCE (CN)

CHINA-GANSU-XIAHE-LABRANG MONASTERY-DANCE (CN)

(230204) -- XIAHE, Feb. 4, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Masked monks performing religious dance head to a square at the Labrang Monastery in Xiahe County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Feb. 4, 2023. The ritual was held here on Saturday to pray for good luck in the new year. (Xinhua/Zhang Zhimin)

CHINA-GANSU-XIAHE-LABRANG MONASTERY-DANCE (CN)

CHINA-GANSU-XIAHE-LABRANG MONASTERY-DANCE (CN)

(230204) -- XIAHE, Feb. 4, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A masked monk performs religious dance during a ritual at the Labrang Monastery in Xiahe County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Feb. 4, 2023. The ritual was held here on Saturday to pray for good luck in the new year. (Xinhua/Zhang Zhimin)

CHINA-GANSU-XIAHE-LABRANG MONASTERY-DANCE (CN)

CHINA-GANSU-XIAHE-LABRANG MONASTERY-DANCE (CN)

(230204) -- XIAHE, Feb. 4, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Masked monks perform religious dance during a ritual at the Labrang Monastery in Xiahe County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Feb. 4, 2023. The ritual was held here on Saturday to pray for good luck in the new year. (Xinhua/Zhang Zhimin)

Candle festival held in Thailand

STORY: Candle festival held in Thailand DATELINE: July 15, 2022 LENGTH: 00:03:13 LOCATION: UBON RATCHATHANI, Thailand CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of wax sculptures parade 2. various of group dancing 3. close shot of wax sculptures 4. various of cultural performances STORYLINE: Northeast Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani Province is hosting its annual candle festival, one of the country's most popular events, which runs from July 11 to 17. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival marks the start of the three-month Buddhist Lent period, featuring the country's northeastern culture and heritage. The event is full of colour, dance, music and, most famously, the beautiful and intricately carved candle sculptures, which are on parade through the town. These sculptures typically depict different aspects of religious life and will be presented to temples. The festival also features cultural performances, candle casting and candle making demonstrations, the

Hindu community in Bangladesh celebrates Holi festival

STORY: Hindu community in Bangladesh celebrates Holi festival DATELINE: March 19, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:00 LOCATION: Dhaka CATEGORY: SOCIETY/CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of people celebrating Holi festival 2. various of students of Dhaka University celebrating the Holi festival STORYLINE: The Hindu community in Bangladesh on Friday celebrated Holi, a popular ancient Hindu festival, also known as the festival of colors. The festival was celebrated in almost every part of the country with traditional and religious fervor. It brought more Hindus to the temples in the old part of the capital Dhaka than any other day of the year. Hindus believe that Holi brings a message of unity and friendship and bridges the communal divide. Revellers spray colored powder and water at each other and dance as well as distribute sweets during the celebrations, which signal the end of winter and the arrival of spring. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Dhaka. (XHTV)

Whirling ritual in Turkey

Whirling ritual in Turkey

People belonging to the Mevlevi Order, an Islamic religious group, perform the Sema dance in Konya, Turkey, on March 9, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo