Religion

<p>Our ongoing coverage of faith and religion — and its influence on important issues around the globe.</p>

Muslims pray in a mosque during celebrations of Eid al-Fitr holiday, a feast celebrated by Muslims worldwide, in Grozny, Russia, on Thursday, May 13, 2021.

The world celebrates Eid — including some of The World’s listeners

We asked The World’s listeners to share what Eid al-Fitr means to them and their families. Here’s what they told us.

The world celebrates Eid — including some of The World’s listeners
Sabha Aminikia immigrated to the US as a refugee and began studying at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. But even as he launched his career in America, his music was often focused on Iran.

Iranian American composer Sahba Aminikia: Music transforms like raindrops that 'wash this part of humanity'

Iranian American composer Sahba Aminikia: Music transforms like raindrops that 'wash this part of humanity'
The US Constitution's first page

Americans are prone to reading Constitution as scripture, says legal scholar

Americans are prone to reading Constitution as scripture, says legal scholar
A large group of people sit on a wooden boat with a man rowing at the head of the boat toward a golden colored city at night.

In ‘Twice Born,’ author Aatish Taseer explores the impact of caste in today's India

In ‘Twice Born,’ author Aatish Taseer explores the impact of caste in today's India
A woman poses for a photo surrounded by red Christmas ornaments in Bangkok, Thailand.

Photos: The world celebrates Christmas

Photos: The world celebrates Christmas
Two men sit on sofa with large books in laps, pointing at texts and talking

How hate and debate came to a Connecticut mosque

Two years after a neighbor shot at their mosque, a leader at the Baitul Aman Mosque in Meriden has found an unlikely companion to show people true Islam: a local 76-year-old who is convinced organizations like the Muslim Brotherhood are plotting to impose Islamic law on America.

How hate and debate came to a Connecticut mosque
A woman wearing a headwrap and as shimmering blue and gold dress stands in front of a camera, with her hands to her hips.

Fashion, faith and culture come together through the global art of head wrapping

Head wrapping goes beyond style for one Detroit anthropologist. It’s also a way to bridge cultures.

Fashion, faith and culture come together through the global art of head wrapping
Burmese refugees Thailand

The biggest group of current refugees in the US? Christians from Myanmar.

Trump’s anti-refugee push has hidden victims.

The biggest group of current refugees in the US? Christians from Myanmar.
Women pray in front of paramilitary policemen at Yonghegong Lama Temple on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Rooster in Beijing, China.

Religion is alive and kicking in officially atheist China

A variety of religions are thriving in post-Mao China.

Religion is alive and kicking in officially atheist China
Yoido Full Gospel Church began in 1958 and grew by serving poor and working class South Koreans who moved to the capital city of Seoul. Today, it's largest megachurch in the world.

The biggest megachurch on Earth and South Korea's ‘crisis of evangelism’

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, has more megachurches than any other city in the world. But right now, Protestant evangelical leaders in South Korea don’t have the best reputation.

The biggest megachurch on Earth and South Korea's ‘crisis of evangelism’
Christian Orthodox pilgrims from Serbia as they pray, sing and carry wooden crosses on Good Friday.

After church bombings in Cairo, a poignant Good Friday for pilgrims in Jerusalem

After the Palm Sunday bombings of Christian churches in Egypt, pilgrims to the Holy Land observe an especially poignant Good Friday.

After church bombings in Cairo, a poignant Good Friday for pilgrims in Jerusalem
Two men in smile in posed photo in front of small market

A Muslim immigrant and a Christian pastor find common ground — and try to connect with their Latino neighbors too

It’s not always easy to bridge gaps in communities. But these two friends are giving it a try.

A Muslim immigrant and a Christian pastor find common ground — and try to connect with their Latino neighbors too
The World

Myanmar's Inle Lake is just one small body of water, but this man is dedicating his life to saving it

One of Myanmar's most important lakes and cultural sites is under assault from development and climate change. One man is trying to turn things around.

Myanmar's Inle Lake is just one small body of water, but this man is dedicating his life to saving it
Demonstrators spell out "# No Muslim Ban" during a protest against President Donald Trump's executive order travel ban.

Why this Muslim American, who fled Iran in 1979, backs Trump's travel ban

The safety and security of Americans is first and foremost, says Hossein Khorram, who supported Trump as a Republican delegate from Washington.

Why this Muslim American, who fled Iran in 1979, backs Trump's travel ban
Lobzang Jivaka (fourth from left) at Rizong Monastery in Ladakh, northern India, with some of his fellow monks, in 1960.

This Englishman’s search for truth was about the transformation of spirit, and of gender

Over several years in the 1940s, Michael Dillon underwent a groundbreaking physical transition from female to male through a series of surgical operations. It was just one part of his remarkable story of personal transformation. But all of that was just part of this Englishman’s remarkable story of personal transformation. Michael Dillon was outed by the newspapers after he transitioned from female to male in the 1940s. Dillon's pioneering journey is a fascinating story about gender, identity and spirituality.

This Englishman’s search for truth was about the transformation of spirit, and of gender