RELIGIOUS ART | NEWS OF WEEK

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By Gregory A. Disney

The world is at "Play" in London this week, but religious diversity has been the biggest news story especially concerning the role of Islamic women wearing their hijab. Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shaherkani, 16, had signed an agreement with Saudi officials that she would only compete if she could wear "correct and approved" clothing, meaning modest clothing including a hijab head covering. This week, Saudi officials won the go-ahead from the International Olympic Committee for a female athlete to wear a hijab in the judo competition.  This is why religious freedom at "Play" is our NEWS OF WEEK.

In other Religious Art news from across the USA, and the world:

• Judaism at Play: Aly Raisman of Needham, Mass., won a gold medal on Tuesday (July 31) in the women's all-around gymnastics competition, but American Jews likely cheered a little loudest. [links]
• Islam at Play: Following intense negotiations, Ms. Shahrkhani, a Saudi woman was allowed to compete while wearing a modified hijab in the judo competition. [link]
• Hinduism at Play: Hindu devotees in Mumbai prayed before forming a human pyramid during celebrations of Janmashtami, which marks the birth of Hindu God Lord Krishna. [link]
• Christians at Play: American artist, Leighton Autrey's Christian-inspired painting "Wavering, James 1:2-8," is just one of 12 works of art that were accepted to be shown during the Olympics in a London gallery. [link]
• Buddhists at Play: Buddhist monk Kenki Sato is representing Japan in the Olympics horse riding competition called "eventing". [link]
• Interfaith at Play: The Huffington Post reminded us that the first Olympics, a festival held in 776 B.C. was a religious spectacle dedicated to Zeus, the chief Greek god. [link]

WANT MORE interfaith art news? Get your daily dose of Alpha Omega Arts on Facebook and/or Twitter, or just come back each day. We also invite you to join us and to "vote" for the 2012 A&O Prize for Contemporary Religious Art, and to invite a friend to join too! Member's vote, and membership is "free". It's another great way to keep up with gatherings of like-minded people who share your interest in Religious Art. After all, who is Religious Art (and the Olympics) for? Yes, it's for Believers, but also Skeptics too!