Global Scans · Religion · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Huge growth is expected over the next several decades as the world's Muslim population grows faster than every other major religious demographic, and as urbanization and rising incomes in developing countries with large Muslim populations mean more will be buying, rather than producing their own food.

• [New] Dis / misinformation concerning major geo-political conflicts can appeal to sentiments in Singapore, including Israel's ongoing operations in Gaza that might tap on religious sentiments. @RSIS_NTU
• [New] In the coming weeks, a federal court in Texas is expected to decide whether to approve a legal settlement between the Internal Revenue Service and the National Religious Broadcasters, along with two churches in Texas, that could undermine federal law that protects nonprofits from partisan politics. National Council of Nonprofits
• [New] The Trump administration will allow a limited amount of telework to federal employees who request a religious accommodation - a narrow carveout to its return-to-office mandate. Federal News Network
• [New] The Rationalist Society of Australia has again asked the Albanese government for confirmation on when non-religious Defence personnel will be able to access non-religious frontline wellbeing support. National Secular Lobby
• Quebec says it will ban prayer in public, a move that civil rights groups described as an alarming measure that targets religious minority groups and would infringe on basic democratic freedoms. The Guardian
• From kindergartens to universities, many students are receiving an education thanks to ACN-funded programmes in crisis-hit countries around the world, where Christian communities are in danger of extinction. ACN International
• In 2022, 9.4 million believers visited Makkah, while the Saudi government expects 50 million religious visitors by 2030. EHL Holding SA
• One JAMA Internal Medicine study found that women who attended religious services more than once a week had a 33% lower risk of death over a 16-year period. The Well by Northwell
• Despite delayed returns and unresolved risks, capital is pouring into AI development with near-religious fervour: $471 billion flowed into US AI ventures between 2013 and 2024, with another $300 billion projected for 2025 alone. The National Interest
• Religious organizations in America are divided in their response to an Internal Revenue Service ruling that allows churches and other houses of worship to endorse political candidates without risking the loss of their tax-exempt status. Religion Media Centre
• The Supreme Court's recent ruling to allow parents to pull their children out of classroom discussions around books covering LGBTQ + and other themes that may conflict with their religious beliefs could embolden efforts to restrict more titles. EdSurge
• The CCP's ultimate aim is to turn Tibetan Buddhism into a state tool to influence geopolitics in the Himalayas, which will have spillover effects on Indian territories like Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. News18
• A united Syria that does not offer a safe haven for terrorist organizations and ensures the security of its religious and ethnic minorities will support regional security and prosperity. The White House
• Egypt's constitution recognizes Islam as the state religion, which could be problematic now that Egypt holds state control over the Christian site. Reason.com
• There are worries about the potential for lone-wolf attacks or attacks by Iran-backed groups in the U.S., especially if Iran were to issue a religious ruling calling for violence. Domestic Preparedness

Last updated: 08 September 2025