Churches & Religion

Muslims offer prayers during the first day of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan at Fatih Mosque in Istanbul, Thursday, May 13, 2021. Hundreds of Muslims attended dawn Eid al-Fitr prayers Thursday marking the end of the month of prayer and fasting for Muslims around the world, a usually joyous three-day celebration that has been significantly toned down as coronavirus cases soar.

Virus, Mideast turmoil stifle Eid al-Fitr celebrations

May 13, 2021, 8:03am Churches & Religion

Muslims celebrated Eid al-Fitr in a subdued mood for a second year Thursday as the COVID-19 pandemic again forced mosque closings and family separations on the holiday marking the end of Ramadan. Read story

Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer and dedication to community for Muslims, ends at sunset Wednesday

May 12, 2021, 7:52am Churches & Religion

Ramadan draws to a close at sunset Wednesday, leaving Muslims with a renewed sense of their faith after a month of fasting, introspection and prayer. Read story

This undated image provided by the CW Network shows Leslie Jordan who appears in the CW's teen soap "Hidden Palms." (AP Photo/CW)

Leslie Jordan’s gospel album is a hoedown so fabulous that even Dolly Parton shows up

May 10, 2021, 6:00am Churches & Religion

To the 5.7 million of us who lap up Leslie Jordan’s Instagram musings, it’ll come as a shock that he doesn’t care for one of his most endearing traits. Read story

Javier KM prays in the mostly empty nave of The Proto-Cathedral of St. James the Greater in downtown Vancouver.

Washington events can increase capacity with vaccinated sections

May 3, 2021, 4:01pm Churches & Religion Free

More people will be allowed at indoor and outdoor spectator events and indoor religious services if there are designated COVID-19 vaccination sections, under new guidance issued by Gov. Jay Inslee Monday. Read story

Washington National Cathedral stone carver Sean Callahan uses an air chisel to work on a sculpture of Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winning author Elie Wiesel at the cathedral, Thursday, March 25, 2021. Wiesel, who died in 2016, became an outspoken advocate for human rights causes around the world, helped found the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986.

Author Wiesel lauded at National Cathedral

May 1, 2021, 6:00am Churches & Religion

Washington National Cathedral, the massive Episcopal house of worship that prides itself on being an unfinished work-in-progress whose stones and stained glass tell the story of the 20th and 21st centuries, is unveiling its newest addition: a carving of iconic author, human rights campaigner and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel. Read story

Faith leaders find hope after verdict in Floyd case

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, center, walks with his security detail Tuesday at George Floyd Square after a guilty verdict was announced at the trial of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin for the 2020 death of Floyd in Minneapolis. Chauvin has been convicted of murder and manslaughter in Floyd's death.

Faith leaders in Minnesota and across the United States expressed hope that their advocacy work for racial justice will gain momentum from the guilty verdict rendered against Derek Chauvin, the former police officer convicted of killing George Floyd. Read story

Pope meets with Lebanon’s PM-designate, urges end of crises

Pope Francis delivers his blessing as he recites the Regina Caeli noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St.Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, April 18, 2021. Pope Francis said he is happy to be back greeting the faithful in St. Peter's Square faithful for his traditional Sunday noon blessing after weeks of lockdown measures.

Pope Francis met with Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri on Thursday and urged all Lebanese political leaders to “urgently commit themselves to the benefit of the nation,” as the country endures a series of crises and disagreements that have prevented the formation of a government. Read story

Muslims mark Ramadan amid virus surge and new restrictions

Muslims pray during the first dawn prayers of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, as they keep social distancing to help curb the spread of the coronavirus, in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, April 13, 2021. During Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk.

Muslims in many parts of the world marked the start of Ramadan on Tuesday, but a spike in coronavirus cases in several countries has once again put curbs on the holy month’s signature feasts and lengthy prayers in mosques. Read story