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  • 13
    hours
    ago

    Spanish celebrate the Virgin del Rocio with pilgrimage

    Marcelo Del Pozo / Reuters

    Pilgrims run next to the shrine of El Rocio in Almonte, southern Spain, on May 18.

    Every spring, hundreds of thousands of devotees converge at a shrine to pay homage to the Virgin del Rocio during an annual pilgrimage that combines religious fervor and festive color. 

    Marcelo Del Pozo / Reuters

    A pilgrim lights a candle in the shrine of El Rocio in Almonte, southern Spain.

    Marcelo Del Pozo / Reuters

    Children dance and sing during the pilgrimage of El Rocio in Almonte.

    Marcelo Del Pozo / Reuters

    Pilgrims wait before taking part in a procession next to the shrine of El Rocio.

    Marcelo Del Pozo / Reuters

    A pilgrim is seen in a carriage during the pilgrimage of El Rocio.

    Marcelo Del Pozo / Reuters

    A pilgrim couple rides a horse next to the shrine of El Rocio.

    Marcelo Del Pozo / Reuters

    A pilgrim walks in the shrine of El Rocio.

     

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  • 7
    May
    2013
    6:05am, EDT

    Pakistan's under-fire minorities have little faith in democracy

    Anja Niedringhaus / AP

    Ahmedi guards protecting an Ahmedi mosque in Lahore, Pakistan on April 30, 2013. Ahmedis are reviled by mainstream Muslims as heretics because they believe a prophet followed Mohammed, defying the basic tenet of Islam that says Mohammed is the last prophet.

    By Kathy Gannon, The Associated Press

    Lahore, Pakistan — In majority Muslim Pakistan, religious minorities say democracy is killing them.

    Intolerance has been on the rise for the past five years under Pakistan's democratically elected government because of the growing violence of Islamic radicals, who are then courted by political parties, say many in the country's communities of Shiite Muslims, Christians, Hindus and other minorities.

    On Saturday, the country will elect a new parliament, marking the first time one elected government is replaced by another in the history of Pakistan, which over its 66-year existence has repeatedly seen military rule. But minorities are not celebrating. Some of the fiercest Islamic extremists are candidates in the vote, and minorities say even the mainstream political parties pander to radicals to get votes, often campaigning side-by-side with well-known militants.

    Anja Niedringhaus / AP

    Ahmedis praying in their mosque, which displays an Arabic sign saying 'In the name of god, people are praying', in Lahore on April 30, 2013.

    Anja Niedringhaus / AP

    A Shiite worshipper at a shrine in Jhang on May 1, 2013. Minority Shiites in Pakistan have little hope that the May 11 general elections will help them because they fear Sunni radicals, who have targeted Shiites, could gain political strength.

    About 96 percent of Pakistan's population of 180 million is Muslim. Most are Sunni, but according to the CIA Factbook about 10 to 15 percent are members of the Shiite sect. The remaining 4 percent are adherents to other religions such as Christians, Hindus and Ahmedis.

    More than a dozen representatives of Pakistan's minorities interviewed by The Associated Press expressed fears the vote will only hand more influence to extremists. Since the 2008 elections, sectarian attacks have been relentless and minorities have found themselves increasingly targeted by radical Islamic militants. Minorities have little faith the new election will change that. Read the full story.

    Anja Niedringhaus / AP

    A Christian woman peering out from inside a church as angry Christians protest the beating of a young man from the Joseph Colony, a Christian neighborhood in Lahore, on April 30, 2013.

    Anja Niedringhaus / AP

    Barber Elias, 25, a Christian who was injured when he was beaten by radical Muslims, in the Joseph Colony in Lahore on April 30, 2013.

    Anja Niedringhaus / AP

    Christians protesting the beating of a young Christian belonging to the Joseph Colony, in Lahore on April 30, 2013.

    Anja Niedringhaus / AP

    A Christian repairing his home after it was attacked by radical Muslims, in the Joseph Colony in Lahore on April 30, 2013.

    Anja Niedringhaus / AP

    Homeless Hindus sleeping in a shrine cared for by Omparkarh Narian, 55, in Rawalpindi on May 4, 2013.

    Slideshow: Pakistan: A nation in turmoil

    Asif Hassan / AFP - Getty Images

    Images of daily life, political pursuits, religious rites and deadly violence.

    Launch slideshow

    Follow @NBCNewsPictures
    © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

    14 comments

    "Intolerance has been on the rise for the past five years under Pakistan's democratically elected government because of the growing violence of Islamic radicals, who are then courted by political parties, say many in the country's communities of Shiite Muslims, Christians, Hindus and other minoritie …

    Show more
    Explore related topics: human-rights, pakistan, religion, south-asia, world-news, christian, shiite, minorities, hindu, ahmedi
  • 3
    May
    2013
    3:09pm, EDT

    Churches cut from single rock welcome Orthodox Good Friday celebrations

    Goran Tomasevic / Reuters

    Goran Tomasevic / Reuters

    Goran Tomasevic / Reuters

    Goran Tomasevic / Reuters

    Goran Tomasevic / Reuters

    Goran Tomasevic / Reuters

    Goran Tomasevic / Reuters

    Orthodox Christians observe Good Friday celebrations in and around the famed monolithic rock-cut churches in Lalibela, Ethiopia on May 3.

    Follow @NBCNewsPictures

    Comment

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  • 2
    May
    2013
    11:30am, EDT

    Romanians honor dead ahead of Orthodox Easter

    Andreea Alexandru / AP

    An elderly woman lights a fire next to a grave in a cemetery in the village of Copaciu, southern Romania, early on May 2.

    On this day in the Orthodox Holy Week, known as Maundy Thursday, Romanians visit the graves of their loved ones, light fires and share food with community members in memory of the departed. Orthodox worshippers celebrate Easter on May 5.

    Andreea Alexandru / AP

    A woman carries a stone cross in a cemetery in the village of Copaciu, southern Romania, early on May 2

    Previously on PhotoBlog:

    • Brrrrr! Orthodox Christians celebrate Epiphany with an ice water bath
    • Merry (Orthodox) Christmas! Believers celebrate with solemn ceremonies

    Follow @NBCNewsPictures

    Comment

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  • 14
    Apr
    2013
    3:17pm, EDT

    Hindus celebrate deity of destruction in India

    Rupak De Chowdhuri / Reuters

    A Hindu devotee hangs from a rope and throws offerings to other devotees during the "Chadak" ritual in Kolkata, India on April 14. Hundreds of Hindu devotees attend the ritual held to worship the Hindu deity of destruction, Lord Shiva, on the last day of the Bengali calendar year.

    Comment

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  • 11
    Apr
    2013
    1:38pm, EDT

    24-hour vigil urges action on gun control legislation

    Kevin Lamarque / Reuters

    Volunteers place crosses on the National Mall in front of the U.S. Capitol on April 11. Activists were holding a 24-hour vigil featuring a gathering of Newtown clergy and 3,300 grave markers to "remind Congress action is needed on gun violence prevention." The number 3,300 represents the supposed number of people who have died as a result of gun violence since the tragedy in Newtown, Conn. 

    Related content: 

    Gun bill clears key Senate hurdle with bipartisan support

    Comment

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  • 11
    Apr
    2013
    7:19am, EDT

    Israel detains five women for wearing shawls in Western Wall prayer protest

    Baz Ratner / Reuters

    A woman looks at men praying from behind a metal screen at the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City on April 11, 2013. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to consider liberalizing access to the Western Wall, officials said on Wednesday, citing concern that police-enforced Orthodox controls on women worshipers alienate Jews abroad.

    Michal Fattal / AP

    Israeli women pray at the Western Wall on April 11, 2013. Israeli police have detained five women for performing religious rituals that ultra-Orthodox Jews say are reserved for men. A police spokesman said about 120 woman arrived for their monthly prayer service Thursday and five were detained for wearing prayer shawls.

    By Reuters

    Israeli police detained five women activists on Thursday at the Western Wall, one of Judaism's most sacred sites, for wearing prayer shawls, which Orthodox tradition sees as solely for men, a spokesman said.

    The incident occurred during a monthly prayer session by the Women of the Wall, a group opposed to police-enforced Orthodox controls at the Jerusalem holy site, where worshipers are segregated by sex in accordance with strict Jewish tradition.

    On Wednesday, officials said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was considering a plan to convert an old archaeological dig south of the wall to an area where men and women would be allowed to mix and worship freely. Read the full story.

    Michal Fattal / AP

    A woman is arrested for wearing a prayer shawl at the Western Wall on April 11, 2013.

    Uriel Sinai / Getty Images

    A couple covered with a 'Tallit' (traditional Jewish prayer shawl) pray at the Western Wall on April 11, 2013.

    Michal Fattal / AP

    Women pray at the Western Wall on April 11, 2013.

    Baz Ratner / Reuters

    Police officers detain an ultra-Orthodox Jewish man at the Western Wall on April 11, 2013, after he burned a book belonging to the Women of the Wall, a group opposed to police-enforced Orthodox controls at the Jerusalem holy site.

    Related:

    Controversy over dance studio's curtains illustrates battle for soul of Israeli society

    Gender segregation on the rise in Israel

    Follow @NBCNewsPictures

    Israeli police detained five women activists for wearing prayer shawls at Jerusalem's Western Wall, a practice which Orthodox tradition sees as solely for men. NBCNews.com's Dara Brown reports.

    Copyright 2013 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.

    77 comments

    ban all religions...seem to be the cause of most of the worlds problems..

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  • 10
    Apr
    2013
    1:40pm, EDT

    Godmother of punk meets Holy Father

    L'Osservatore Romano via AP

    Patti Smith shakes hands with Pope Francis at the Vatican on April 10, 2013.

    Slideshow: Celebrity Sightings

    Ben Affleck and Rachel McAdams at the 'To The Wonder' premiere, Michelle Williams at Kate Young for Target launch, Julia Louis-Dreyfus celebrates her second season of 'Veep,' and more.

    Launch slideshow

    Patti Smith, artist and punk rock pioneer, met Pope Francis at the end of his weekly general audience, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Wednesday.

    Smith, who is not a Catholic, told the media afterwards that she found the new pontiff "very interesting" and "liked him a lot."

    The singer-songwriter will be in Rome until April 25 performing at the Rome Auditorium.

    - The Associated Press, AFP contributed to this post

    Related Links:

    • Slideshow: The election of Pope Francis
    • Slideshow: Holy ride - Popemobiles throughout history
    • Follow @NBCNewsPictures on Twitter

    1 comment

    She could definitely pass as Marty Feldman's mom. Not even a handsome lady. And her music sucks, and is not punk.

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  • 5
    Apr
    2013
    10:41pm, EDT

    Namaste: Ultra Orthodox Jews practice yoga in Israel

    Abir Sultan / EPA

    Ultra orthodox Jewish yoga teacher Abraham Kohlberg leads a yoga class in the city of Beit Shemesh, Israel on April 5. Since gender segregation is practiced by ultra orthodox Jews, the studio offers separate classes for men and women.

    Abir Sultan / EPA

     

    2 comments

    I guess the Jews arent aware that by practicing Yoga they are practicing Hinduism.

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  • 29
    Mar
    2013
    3:30pm, EDT

    From Pakistan to Poland to the Brooklyn Bridge, Christians around the world celebrate Good Friday

    Dan Kitwood / Getty Images

    Pope Francis prays on the floor during a Papal Mass with the Celebration of the Lord's Passion inside St Peter's Basilica on March 29, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Pope Francis is taking part in his first holy week as pontiff and will later today preside over the Way Of the Cross procession at the Colosseum in Rome.

    Sebastian Scheiner / AP

    Christian worshippers carry a cross towards the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed by many to be the site of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, during the Good Friday procession in Jerusalem's Old City, Friday, March 29, 2013. Less than 2 percent of the population of Israel and the Palestinian territories is Christian, mostly split between Catholicism and Orthodox streams of Christianity. Christians in the West Bank wanting to attend services in Jerusalem must obtain permission from Israeli authorities. Israel's Tourism Ministry said it expects some 150,000 visitors in Israel during Easter week and the Jewish festival of Passover, which coincide this year.

    Kai Pfaffenbach / Reuters

    Members of the Italian community take part in a re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday in Bensheim, southwest of Frankfurt March 29, 2013. Thousands of spectators watched the yearly Passion Play performed by about 100 laity actors. Holy Week is celebrated in many Christian traditions during the week before Easter.

    Kacper Pempel / Reuters

    Polish catholic devotees re-enact out the "Way of the Cross" on Good Friday as part of Holy Week celebrations at the Kalwaria Wejherowska near Gdansk, northern Poland March 29, 2013. Holy Week is celebrated in many Christian traditions during the week before Easter.

    Muhammed Muheisen / AP

    An elderly Pakistani Christian man, prays during a Mass on Good Friday in a church in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, March 29, 2013. Christians around the world are marking the Easter holy week.

    Eduardo Munoz / Reuters

    Frank Simmonds, of the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn, carries a cross on the Brooklyn Bridge during the 18th annual 'Way of the Cross Over the Brooklyn Bridge Ceremony' in New York March 29, 2013. The ceremony, hosted yearly on the Christian holy day of Good Friday, includes walking from St. James Cathedral, over the Brooklyn Bridge to St. Peter's Church, in Manhattan. The event attracts approximately 2,000 people each year.

    Joel Saget / AFP - Getty Images

    Nuns take part in a Way of the Cross to celebrate Good Friday, in front of the Sacre-Coeur Basilica in Montmartre district, in Paris, on March 29, 2013.

    Follow @NBCNewsPictures

     

    1 comment

    Beautiful photos. Could you explain if the actual crucification of a volunteer is carried out anywhere? Some of the people in the photos look so sad, glum, serious and full of suffering. I though religion was supposed to make people happy and joyful?

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  • 26
    Mar
    2013
    12:11pm, EDT

    The Hindu festival of colors celebrations continue in India

    Vivek Prakash / Reuters

    A boy sprays colored foam during Holi celebrations in a lane near the Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on March 26. Holi, also known as the Festival of Colours, heralds the beginning of spring and is celebrated all over India.

    Altaf Qadri / AP

    Hindu devotees chant religious slogans amid dust from colored powder inside Banke Bihari temple during Holi festival celebrations in Vrindavan, India, on March 26.

    Thousands pack a small town in India to celebrate spring with their traditional Holi Festival. TODAY.com's Dara Brown reports.

    Previously on PhotoBlog:

    • In a dirty, polluted river, prayers are offered
    • Hindus worship the sun god as night falls during Chhath Puja
    • With a flash and a bang, Hindus celebrate festival of lights
    • Color flies at Hindu festival in India

     

    Follow @NBCNewsPictures

    1 comment

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  • 25
    Mar
    2013
    11:29am, EDT

    Pride, penitence and Antonio Banderas: Spaniards mark Holy Week with colorful processions

    Emilio Morenatti / AP

    Hooded penitents from the La Paz brotherhood walk to the church to take part in a procession in Seville, Spain, on March 24, 2013.

    Christian believers around the world are marking the Holy Week of Easter in celebration of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. On Sunday, hundreds of processions were held in towns and cities across Spain.

    In his Palm Sunday service at the Vatican, Pope Francis appealed to the crowd to shun corruption and reach out to "the humble, the poor, the forgotten."

    Eloy Alonso / Reuters

    Women wearing traditional mantilla dresses smoke outside a church before taking part in the Brotherhood procession of "Los Estudiantes" (The Students) at the start of Holy Week in Oviedo, northern Spain, on March 24, 2013.

    Emilio Morenatti / AP

    "Costaleros" from "La Estrella" brotherhood, wait their turn to carry over their backs the portable dais platform which supports a statue of Jesus Christ during a procession in Seville on March 24, 2013.

    Marcelo Del Pozo / Reuters

    Penitents pass a man with a dog as they walk to a church before taking part in the procession of "La Paz" (Peace) brotherhood during Holy Week in the Andalusian capital of Seville, March 24, 2013.

    Jon Nazca / Reuters

    Film actor and director Antonio Banderas, second right, sings a song to the Virgin inside a church as he takes part as a penitent in the "Lagrimas and Favores" brotherhood in a Palm Sunday procession in Malaga on March 24, 2013.

    Cristina Quicler / AFP - Getty Images

    A penitent of the "La Paz" brotherhood holds a religious item with an image of the Virgin Mary as he takes part in a procession in Seville on March 24, 2013.

    Emilio Morenatti / AP

    A waiter tries to see from a window as the procession of "La Paz" brotherhood passes along a street in Seville on March 24, 2013.

    Eloy Alonso / Reuters

    Spanish legionnaires carry a statue of the Christ of the Mercy into church after the Palm Sunday procession of the "Estudiantes" brotherhood was suspended due to rain in Oviedo on March 24, 2013.

    Jon Nazca / Reuters

    A crying woman is comforted by fellow penitents inside a church where they took shelter from the rain during the "Lagrimas y Favores" (Tears and Favors) brotherhood Palm Sunday procession in Malaga on March 24, 2013.

    Jon Nazca / Reuters

    Penitents light their candles as they take part in the "Humildad" (Humility) brotherhood Palm Sunday procession in Malaga on March 24, 2013.

    Follow @NBCNewsPictures

     

    10 comments

    Interesting. Most people would throw rocks at the guys if they wore that outfit in the US but....interesting!

    Show more
    Explore related topics: world-news, europe, religion, featured, christian, spain, catholic, easter, malaga, holy-week, seville, oviedo
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