Weekly religion news roundup (July 17-23, 2026)
Photograph by Utsav Srestha via Unsplash
Hannah Estifanos
How Andy Burnham's religious roots shaped Britain’s first Catholic-born prime minister. Back in 2009, Burnham recalled that important influences on him were, in order: the Everton FC soccer team, the Labour Party and the Catholic Church. (Religion News Service)
Clergy and politicians urge Tennessee governor to postpone execution. About a dozen clergy and conservative politicians pleaded with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee to postpone an upcoming execution after another inmate’s lethal injection was botched in May. (Baptist News Global)
Why Orthodox Jews are opposing the new daylight saving bill in Congress. If passed, the bill would give Americans an extra hour of sunshine in the evenings during the winter. But it would also push winter sunrises one hour later. That's of concern to Orthodox Jews, who pray three times a day, beginning with the Shacharit morning prayer service, which by tradition cannot begin in the dark. (NPR News)
A centuries-old festival in Japan brings Shinto traditions and towering floats to the streets. This is the Gion Matsuri festival, born more than 1,000 years ago as a ritual to ward off epidemics and celebrated in the former imperial city of Kyoto throughout July. (Associated Press)
John Esposito, pioneering scholar of Islam in the US, dies aged 86. Georgetown scholar and author spent decades building bridges between the Islamic and Western worlds. (Al Jazeera)
Each week in The Christian Citizen, we publish a Religion News Roundup with summaries of religion news stories and links for those who want to read more.
Hindu group sues Chicago suburb to build temple, citing 1967 legal barrier. Umiya Mataji Sanstha, a Hindu community in Chicago’s western suburbs, hopes to build a temple and homes for community members. But a 1960s-era consent decree stands in their way. Will a religious freedom law help their case? (Religion News Service)
Paris’ Grand Mosque celebrates its 100th anniversary and interfaith dialogue. The Grand Mosque of Paris is celebrating its centenary, honoring Muslim soldiers from French colonies who fought in World War I. (ABC News)
NBCUSA opens advocacy center in DC.A historically Black denomination has opened an advocacy center in the heart of Washington, D.C., to protect civil rights, champion religious freedom and to be a voice for the poor and marginalized. (Baptist News Global)
As Jews mark Tisha B’Av, ancient mourning rituals make room for modern grief. The holiday, which begins at sundown Wednesday (July 22) and ends Thursday at sunset, is observed as Judaism’s central day of communal mourning. (Religion News Service)
CRS receives State Department funds to ‘significantly expand’ humanitarian aid to Cuba. Catholic Relief Services is welcoming federal support that will help “significantly expand” humanitarian aid to Cuba, as the Caribbean nation battles multiple crises. (National Catholic Reporter)
Why Traore has opened a new front with Burkina Faso’s Muslim community. New legislation and arrests are driving a rift between Burkina Faso’s military government and Muslim scholars. (Al Jazeera)
Hannah Estifanos is the copyeditor of The Christian Citizen.
The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of American Baptist Home Mission Societies.
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