Church
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Palestinian ChristiansBethlehem: Gaza war mars Christmas festivities
Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, the supposed birthplace of Jesus, is usually busy over the Christmas season. This year, however, most festivities were cancelled because of the Gaza conflict.
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Christmas in IsraelCulture war over the Christian holiday
Christmas is becoming increasingly popular among secular Israelis. It spreads a festive atmosphere that promotes understanding between people of different faiths. Orthodox Jews, however, view the holiday as a threat. By Joseph Croitoru
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Jesus and Mary in the KoranThe message of mercy
Jesus – Issa in Arabic – doesn’t merely enjoy the highest place among the prophets in the Koran. He is also revered in Islam’s mystical tradition for his message of love and mercy. By Aziz Fooladvand
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Interfaith cooperation and integrationGermany’s first Christian-Muslim kindergarten
Despite early learning being linked to better chances in later life, Muslim parents in Germany are currently less likely to send their kids to kindergarten. A pioneering interfaith project in Gifhorn presents an appealing alternative, promoting integration in partnership with local church and state actors. Arndt-Walter Emmerich reports
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Christians in the Middle EastRebuilding churches in Iraq
Much effort is being put into rebuilding churches in Iraq that were destroyed by Islamic State. The message of hope is for Christians to return. Judit Neurink reports from Mosul
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Religions for Peace conference in LindauFighting hate speech, climate change and COVID-19 together
Religions are often a source of conflict. But the worldwide Religions for Peace movement seeks to change that by galvanising interreligious dialogue. Delegates from 90 countries are meeting this week in Germany. The involvement and commitment of young women at this year's conference is striking. By Christoph Strack
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The fate of the ArmeniansVakıflı: The last Armenian village in Turkey
The village of Vakıflı (population 150) in the southern Turkish province of Hatay near the Syrian border is the last remaining Armenian village in Turkey. Lately, interest in the town and the history of Armenians has been growing. By Jochen Menzel
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The papal visit to IraqThe blessing of Pope Francis – "Salaam, salaam, salaam"
The Pope’s journey to the "land between the rivers": places of terror and a dialogue to promote hope and optimism. His meeting with Shia Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani was a milestone in the history of Christian-Islamic dialogue. Birgit Svensson reports from Baghdad
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Relgions for Peace in Lindau"Women are the ones who ensure religion survives"
Organised by interfaith NGO Religions for Peace, an international conference in Lindau on Lake Constance is dealing with the peace-building role of women inspired by the faith of their respective religions. Some 600 participants from around the world meet virtually to discuss the central challenges of our time. By Christoph Strack
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Christians in IraqCoping with wrack and ruin
The Christian villages around the Iraqi city of Mosul may have been liberated, but in reality, the scars of brutal IS rule mean they are uninhabitable. For most residents, returning is not an option at this stage. By Karim El-Gawhary
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Churches in Syria after the fall of East AleppoTime for a new beginning
Christian Churches in Aleppo have welcomed the government troops' victory. But after five years of war, it is important that they abandon the paradigm that the Assad regime is the protector of religious minorities and work tirelessly to overcome the religious divide. By Claudia Mende
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Egypt′s Coptic ChurchThe cost of a cornerstone
Despite a new law aimed at facilitating the construction of Christian houses of worship, the situation on the ground looks somewhat different. By Flemming Weiss-Andersen, Eva Plesner and Elisabeth Lehmann