IRFN: North Korean Army Seeks to Eradicate “Cancer” of Religion

glasses off:

1. Fifth Jehovah’s Witness Sentenced in Turkmenistan (Sep. 13)
2. North Korean Army Seeks to Eradicate the “Cancer” of Religion (Sep. 13)

AsiaNews reports that the North Korean army, worried that its soldiers are displaying an interest in religion, has distributed a booklet entitled “Saving Our Soldiers from the Threat of Religion”. The pamphlet aims to “eradicate [religion] without delay” as religion is “spreading like a cancer inside North Korea’s armed forces”. The book identifies religion as something embraced by North Korea’s enemies, and regards belief as a “poison that corrupts socialism and paralyses class consciousness.” Those who wish to publicly practice their religions in North Korea must join religious organizations controlled by the communist party, and worship of the current leader, Kim Jong-Il, and his father, Kim Il-Sung, is encouraged.

3. Belarus: Baptist Fined for Organizing Church Activities (Sep. 14)
4. Malaysian State Set to Monitor Muslims During Ramadan (Sep. 16)

Reuters reports that the Parti Islam se-Malaysia (PAS), the hardline Islamic party which governs the northern Malaysian state of Kelantan, has established patrols in the state during the month of Ramadan to ensure that Muslims keep the fast and refrain from smoking and drinking. Ten plainclothes officers will be dispatched to monitor food outlets, where those who are caught breaking the fast will be fined 20 ringgit ($6). Vendors caught selling food to Muslims during daylight hours, on the other hand, will be fined up to 500 ringgit ($144).

5. Schoolchildren in Indonesia Forced to Wear Islamic Dress (Sep. 17)
6. Restrictions on Religious Practice Increase in Uzbekistan (Sep. 17)

Features:

The US State Department’s office of International Religious Freedom releases its 2007 report, citing major concerns about Iraq and Afghanistan. The full report can be read on the State Department’s website.

China Aid Association reports that Cai Zhuohua, a Chinese house church pastor, has been released from jail after serving a three-year sentence for printing and distributing Bibles and other religious materials. While in prison, Cai spent 10 to 12 hours a day making sports equipment that will be used in the 2008 Olympics.

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