Sonia Sarkar

Journalist at Freelance

Interested in human lives across the world. Solo traveller. https://t.co/eh1UHiJX4l

Articles

Is Malaysia Failing To Keep Women Away From Extremism?

1 week ago | religionunplugged.com | Sonia Sarkar

(ANALYSIS) A recent report by U.N. Women revealed that female empowerment has been a top priority in Malaysia, the southeast Asian country of 35 million people. From running tech startups, costume and jewelry businesses to driving public buses, women in Muslim-dominated Malaysia are largely economically, socially and culturally independent. Yet, a significant number is attracted to what most would define Islamist extremism.
A saffron shadow

1 week ago | telegraphindia.com | Sonia Sarkar

Anti-monarchists argue that India, as one of the largest democracies in the world, should help Nepal to strengthen its democratic institutions and not conspire to threaten their existence Sonia Sarkar Published 27.05.25, 06:53 AM Representational image Sourced by the Telegraph In March, Kathmandu witnessed massive street violence at a rally demanding the restoration of monarchy.
Kosovo’s women journalists face harassment online and offline

2 weeks ago | missingperspectives.com | Sonia Sarkar

Investigative journalist Qendresa Tershani has been deeply engaged in uncovering the increasing cases of femicide in Kosovo—the western Balkan nation of 1.8 million people. Outspoken and bold, Tershani faces significant challenges reporting in a society marked by strong patriarchal norms and deep divisions. “People have called me ‘hyena’ for following the story of a murder of a woman allegedly by her husband last year,” Tershani, 26, says.
Are Black And Latino Churches Not Prioritizing Early Childhood Development?

1 month ago | religionunplugged.com | Sonia Sarkar

(ANALYSIS) A new report titled Flourishing Futures: Early Childhood Development in Black and Latine Churches and Faith Communities published by Sojourners, an American Christian social justice organization, revealed that the early childhood development is not prioritized in church budgets, with financial resources often directed towards non-early childhood development funding priorities.
What's Behind The Rising Number Of Muslim-To-Catholic Conversions In Kosovo

2 months ago | flipboard.com | Sonia Sarkar

5 hours agoPRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Hashim Thaci, a former president of Kosovo who is facing war crime charges, was temporarily released from custody at a court based in the Netherlands on Friday to visit the tomb of his father who died last weekend. Thaci, 56, wasn't allowed to attend Tuesday's funeral, which …
Why Muslims In War-Torn Kosovo Are Turning To Catholicism

2 months ago | religionunplugged.com | Sonia Sarkar

(ANALYSIS) Kosovo, the war-torn Muslim-majority Balkan nation of 1.5 million people has witnessed a growing trend of Muslims converting to Catholicism.
Muslims In Sri Lanka Fail To Return To Their Homes In War-Torn Provinces

Feb 11, 2025 | religionunplugged.com | Sonia Sarkar

(ANALYSIS) Nearly two decades have passed since the 26-year-long civil war ended in Sri Lanka. Yet, Muslims displaced from the island nation’s northern and eastern Provinces still face significant challenges in returning to their homes and reclaiming their land. The civil war between the Sri Lankan armed forces and the Tamil guerrilla separatists, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, who sought to establish an independent Tamil state, Eelam, in northern and eastern Sri Lanka, ended in 2009.
Australia’s South Asians hail inclusion of caste discrimination in anti-racism framework

Dec 22, 2024 | scmp.com | Sonia Sarkar

The framework will help fight caste discrimination by enhancing legal protections in areas such as housing, education and culturePublished: 5:20pm, 23 Dec 2024When Sydney-based IT professional Devi asked someone from her company for another colleague’s phone number last year, she was told that the colleague was from an upper-caste family, implying she should be mindful of his status before approaching him.
Why Are Bangladeshi Children Attending Madrasas In Such Large Numbers?

Dec 17, 2024 | religionunplugged.com | Sonia Sarkar

Many madrasas, which offer boarding facilities to students, do not charge a tuition fee, while some charge only a nominal fee for food and accommodation. In Bangladesh, four different types of madrasas — Maktab, Hafizia, Qawmi and Alia — teach elementary Islamic subjects, theology, Islamic studies, social sciences, sciences, mathematics, English and arts, to students.
Young Pakistanis are moving away from cousin marriage owing to the risk of genetic disorders

Nov 4, 2024 | bmj.com | Sonia Sarkar

Sonia Sarkar, freelance journalistDelhi26.sarkar{at}gmail.comThe tradition of marrying close family members is rapidly declining in Pakistan, with rising awareness of genetic disorders. Sonia Sarkar reportsSyed Hashim Haider, a 29 year old software engineer in Lahore, not only married out of his family but also out of his Islamic sect.