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By Holly Meyer and David Crary |
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By Holly Meyer and David Crary |
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Greetings, World of Faith readers.
This week, The Associated Press has a special report on cultural and religious sites in Gaza that were damaged during Israel’s military offensive. We also have an update on the group of Buddhist monks that walked from Texas to Washington, D.C. And, there's fallout from a tense exchange among members of President Donald Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission. |
Palestinians gather to attend Friday prayers at the Great Omari Mosque, which was damaged during the Israeli military's air and ground operation in Gaza City. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi) |
Palestinians look to salvage Gaza's history from the ruins of Israel's military offensive |
The Great Omari Mosque in Gaza City was hit by an Israeli strike during the war with Hamas. It is one of dozens of heritage sites damaged or destroyed during the war. With major military operations halted by a shaky ceasefire, Palestinians are gaining a clearer picture of the war's devastation, including the loss of buildings and artifacts testifying to the territory's rich history. Read more
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The U.N. cultural agency says it has verified damage to at least 150 sites since Oct. 7, 2023. They include 14 religious sites, 115 buildings of historical or artistic interest, nine monuments and eight archaeological sites. Some repairs are underway, but full-scale restoration, and reconstruction of the territory itself, faces major obstacles. Israel says it tried to avoid hitting heritage sites and accuses Hamas of positioning military assets in or near them and other civilian buildings.
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Buddhist monks draw thousands to Lincoln Memorial on final day of their trek from Texas |
A group of Buddhist monks walking for peace reached Washington, D.C., on foot, capping a 15-week trek from Texas that has captivated the country. The monks in their saffron robes became fixtures on social media, along with their rescue dog Aloka. Their simple message of peace resonated across the U.S. as a welcome respite from conflict and political divisions. Read more.
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Nineteen monks began the 2,300-mile (3,700-kilometer) journey from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth on Oct. 26, 2025. They came from Theravada Buddhist monasteries around the globe.
This week, the monks completed 108 days of walking. It’s a sacred number in Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. It represents spiritual completion, cosmic order and the wholeness of existence. The trek has had its perils. In November outside Houston, the monks were walking alongside a highway when their escort vehicle was hit by a truck. Two monks were injured. One had to have a leg amputated; he rejoined the group in D.C.
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Member of Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission ousted in dispute over antisemitism |
The chairman of the federal Religious Liberty Commission ousted a member after a hearing that featured tense exchanges on the definition of antisemitism. The ousted member, Carrie Prejean Boller, had defended prominent commentator Candace Owens, who routinely shares antisemitic conspiracy theories. Read more.
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Prejean Boller’s removal came amid a wider, increasingly contentious debate over whether the right should give a platform to commentators espousing antisemitic views.
Prejean Boller challenged the chairman’s authority to remove her, saying only President Donald Trump has that power. In a post on the social media site X, she said the chairman’s actions “reflect a Zionist political agenda.”
The hearing took place as the commission, created by Trump last year, is the subject of a new federal lawsuit from progressive religious groups. The suit argues the panel fails to represent diverse views and religions and consists almost entirely of conservative Christian members.
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