Rebel News - Independent News and Analysis

Vatican has labeled the Florida-based church's decision about torching the Islamic holy book to mark the 9/11 terrorist attacks as an 'outrageous' decision.

"Each religion, with its respective sacred books, places of worship and symbols, has the right to respect and protection," the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue said in a statement on Wednesday, acknowledging that the news has caused "great concern" with the council, AFP reported.

Scottish advisers to the Pope have warned him against taking confrontational stances in his remarks when he visits Scotland later this month.

Professor John Haldane, a professor of philosophy at the University of St Andrews who was appointed to the Pontifical Council for Culture in 2005 has advised the Vatican that the Pope should appear friendly to members of other faiths and people with not faith in his speeches.

A teammate of the three Pakistan cricketers suspended on corruption charges earlier in the week has reportedly claimed that players on his team have been fixing "almost every match".

The News of the World newspaper on Sunday quoted Yasir Hameed, the team's opening batsman, as saying Pakistan players are throwing matches.

On this episode of the Riz Khan show we discuss whether the spirit of Ramadan has been lost in excessive consumption and commercialism.

At least 250,000 Palestinians have prayed at the al-Aqsa Mosque and the surrounding areas, despite a massive presence of Israeli soldiers and police who sought to block Muslims from entering.

Worshippers came from all over Palestine, except for the blockaded Gaza Strip, to pray at Islam's third holiest site on the last Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Germany's Catholic Church unveils tougher guidelines on dealing with the sexual abuse of minors by priests, saying any such allegation must be reported to prosecutors.

The new guidelines are valid for three years and come in response to hundreds of allegations of abuse by the clergy across Germany, the BBC reported on Tuesday.

Muslims across the world observe Laylat al-Qadr, or the holy 'Night of Glory' marking the revelation of the holy Quran to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

Laylat al-Qadr is viewed as one of the most significant religious occasions for Muslims as special prayer rituals and services are held on the eves of the last ten odd days of the fasting month of Ramadan.

A Vatican official has criticized Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi for calling on the European continent to convert to Islam during his two-day visit to Italy.

Speaking before 500 women paid to attend his lecture, Gaddafi on Sunday urged the Italian women to convert to Islam.

As Islam continues to appeal to the British public, high profile people have converted, including the son of the former director-general of BBC, Yahya Birt.

Yahya Birt, formerly Jonathan Birt, who converted to Islam in 1989, is the son of former BBC Director General Lord Birt. Yahya Birt received his doctorate from Oxford University on the subject of young British Muslims.

The Vatican has imposed new regulations which require visitors to dress appropriately, denying entry to those wearing shorts, revealing clothes and short skirts.

Should visitors in improper clothing attempt to enter the Vatican, they will be approached by Swiss Guards who will inform them about the new regulations and will direct them to nearby shops where they can buy proper trousers and shawls.