More than 2,000 people braved pelting rain in Sao Paulo on Saturday to stage a protest against what they described as persecution of Afro-Brazilian religious groups.
The “March of Axe” (life force in the Afro-Brazilian religion Candomble) in the city’s Ibirapuera Park was also joined by some gay groups and NGOs fighting against racism and bigotry.
The marchers representing major Afro-Brazilian faiths such as Candomble and Umbanda from around the country demanded “freedom of expression and of religion,” as well as an end to injustice, intolerance and racism.
Candomble, introduced in Brazil in the 16th century by west African slaves, also incorporates Roman Catholic elements.
Umbanda, founded a little more than a century ago, blends African religious beliefs, the spirituality of Brazil’s indigenous people and spiritism, a doctrine based on the teachings of 19th century French spiritualist Allan Kardec.
Jorge Scritori, one of the march organizers, said the protesters were denouncing intolerance and violence directed at followers of Afro-Brazilian religions.
“We want inclusion and acceptance ... It is the duty of all to show religious tolerance,” he added.
Followers of Candomble and Umbanda have held annual marches against religious intolerance since 2008, after several places of Afro-Brazilian worship were sacked and their leaders attacked.
Some of them accuse Christian evangelicals, including Candomble defectors, of outright hostility toward Afro-Brazilian faiths.
Candomble and Umbanda followers also complain about what they view as racist misconceptions that associate their beliefs with witchcraft.
A beauty queen who pulled out of the Miss South Africa competition when her nationality was questioned has said she wants to relocate to Nigeria, after coming second in the Miss Universe pageant while representing the West African country. Chidimma Adetshina, whose father is Nigerian, was crowned Miss Universe Africa and Oceania and was runner-up to Denmark’s Victoria Kjar Theilvig in Mexico on Saturday night. The 23-year-old law student withdrew from the Miss South Africa competition in August, saying that she needed to protect herself and her family after the government alleged that her mother had stolen the identity of a South
BELT-TIGHTENING: Chinese investments in Cambodia are projected to drop to US$35 million in 2026 from more than US$420 million in 2021 At a ceremony in August, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet knelt to receive blessings from saffron-robed monks as fireworks and balloons heralded the breaking of ground for a canal he hoped would transform his country’s economic fortunes. Addressing hundreds of people waving the Cambodian flag, Hun Manet said China would contribute 49 percent to the funding of the Funan Techo Canal that would link the Mekong River to the Gulf of Thailand and reduce Cambodia’s shipping reliance on Vietnam. Cambodia’s government estimates the strategic, if contentious, infrastructure project would cost US$1.7 billion, nearly 4 percent of the nation’s annual GDP. However, months later,
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un renewed his call for a “limitless” expansion of his military nuclear program to counter US-led threats in comments reported yesterday that were his first direct criticism toward Washington since US president-elect Donald Trump’s electoral victory on Oct. 6. At a conference with army officials on Friday, Kim condemned the US for updating its nuclear deterrence strategies with South Korea and solidifying three-way military cooperation involving Japan, which he portrayed as an “Asian NATO” that was escalating tensions and instability in the region. Kim also criticized the US over its support of Ukraine against a prolonged Russian invasion.
Texas’ education board on Friday voted to allow Bible-infused teachings in elementary schools, joining other Republican-led US states that pushed this year to give religion a larger presence in public classrooms. The curriculum adopted by the Texas State Board of Education, which is controlled by elected Republicans, is optional for schools to adopt, but they would receive additional funding if they do so. The materials could appear in classrooms as early as next school year. Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott has voiced support for the lesson plans, which were provided by the state’s education agency that oversees the more than
RSS