Japanese women fight for the right to retain their maiden name. Turkish citizens remark on their country's recent slide into sectarianism and authoritarianism. And the true views of the founding fathers on Islam are made clear. It's Fiery Tuesday, our weekly segment on political news from around the world. All this and more for the Pagan News Beagle!
In Japan, as in the United States, it is typical for women to take on their husband's surname when marrying. Unlike in the United States, however, they aren't allowed to keep their maiden name if their husband insists on keep his own surname because Japanese law requires married couples to share the same name. Now, activists are pushing to have Japan's marriage laws changed.
Last year was rough on Turkey. After two contested elections, a skirmish with Russia, an increase in sectarian violence, and President Erdogan's authoritarian style of governance, many wonder how much more Turkey's democracy can take. German newspaper Der Spiegel speaks with Turkish author Elif Shafak about the cynicism surrounding her country.
The recent rise of public Islamophobia in the United States has not gone unnoticed worldwide. In India, a country which has struggled with its own problems regarding its Muslim minority, The Times of India draws attention to the climate of fear and anxiety many American Muslims now live under.
With a new year comes new challenges. Perhaps it shouldn't be surprising then that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe used the word "challenge" as many as 17 times in his recent inaugural speech for the new year. NHK News covers Abe's new policy promises and the challenges he and his party will face during 2016.
What did the founding fathers really think of Islam? You might be surprised. The Washington Post has the details here.