Religions Around The World

In the early morning hours, monks can be seen walking on their alms round in Kanchanaburi, Thailand
Showing humility and detachment from worldly goods, the monk walks slowly and only stops if he is called. Standing quietly, with his bowl open, the local Buddhists give him rice, or flowers, or an envelope containing money.  In return, the monks bless the local Buddhists and wish them a long and fruitful life.
Christians Celebrate Good Friday
Enacting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in St. Mary's Church in Secunderabad, India. Only 2.3% of India's population is Christian. 
Ancient interior mosaic in the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora
The Church of the Holy Saviour in Istanbul, Turkey is a medieval Byzantine Greek Orthodox church.
Dome of the Rock located in the Old City of Jerusalem
The site's great significance for Muslims derives from traditions connecting it to the creation of the world and to the belief that the Prophet Muhammad's Night Journey to heaven started from the rock at the center of the structure.
Holi Festival in Mathura, India
Holi is a Hindu festival that marks the end of winter. Also known as the “festival of colors”,  Holi is primarily observed in South Asia but has spread across the world in celebration of love and the changing of the seasons.
Jewish father and daughter pray at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, Israel.
Known in Hebrew as the Western Wall, it is one of the holiest sites in the world. The description, "place of weeping", originated from the Jewish practice of mourning the destruction of the Temple and praying for its rebuilding at the site of the Western Wall.
People praying in Mengjia Longshan Temple in Taipei, Taiwan
The temple is dedicated to both Taoism and Buddhism.
People praying in the Grand Mosque in Ulu Cami
This is the most important mosque in Bursa, Turkey and a landmark of early Ottoman architecture built in 1399.
Savior Transfiguration Cathedral of the Savior Monastery of St. Euthymius
Located in Suzdal, Russia, this is a church rite of sanctification of apples and grapes in honor of the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
Fushimi Inari Shrine is located in Kyoto, Japan
It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. Fushimi Inari is the most important Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice.
Ladles at the purification fountain in the Hakone Shrine
Located in Hakone, Japan, this shrine is a Japanese Shinto shrine.  At the purification fountain, ritual washings are performed by individuals when they visit a shrine. This ritual symbolizes the inner purity necessary for a truly human and spiritual life.
Hanging Gardens of Haifa are garden terraces around the Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel
They are one of the most visited tourist attractions in Israel. The Shrine of the Báb is where the remains of the Báb, founder of the Bábí Faith and forerunner of Bahá'u'lláh in the Bahá'í Faith, have been buried; it is considered to be the second holiest place on Earth for Bahá'ís.
Pilgrims praying at the Pool of the Nectar of Immortality and Golden Temple
Located in Amritsar, India, the Golden Temple is one of the most revered spiritual sites of Sikhism. It is a place of worship for men and women from all walks of life and all religions to worship God equally. Over 100,000 people visit the shrine daily.
Entrance gateway of Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple Kowloon
Located in Hong Kong, China, the temple is dedicated to Wong Tai Sin, or the Great Immortal Wong. The Taoist temple is famed for the many prayers answered: "What you request is what you get" via a practice called kau cim.
Christian women worship at a church in Bois Neus, Haiti.
Haiti's population is 94.8 percent Christian, primarily Catholic. This makes them one of the most heavily Christian countries in the world.

World Religions News

US-Syria Business Council, the Atlantic Council to convene US-Syria Energy Symposium on March 26


WASHINGTON — The US-Syria Business Council and the Atlantic Council’s Syria Project will host The U.S.-Syria Energy Symposium on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. ET at the Atlantic Council Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The event will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and regional experts – including Yousef Qiblawy, CEO of the Syria Petroleum Company – to examine the future of Syria’s energy sector and its potential role in the country’s economic recovery and regional integration.

As Syria begins to emerge from years of conflict and authoritarian rule, the country’s energy sector is expected to play a pivotal role in rebuilding infrastructure, attracting investment, and stabilizing the broader economy. This symposium will explore the current landscape of Syria’s oil and gas industry and the regulatory and structural reforms underway aimed at attracting responsible international investment. 

The event will feature a panel discussion examining the opportunities and challenges facing Syria’s evolving energy market. The conversation will address the prospects for U.S. companies, the policy considerations shaping international engagement, and the complexities of operating in a post-conflict environment. Panelists will also consider how responsible energy development could contribute to Syria’s broader economic revitalization and long-term stability across the Middle East.

By bringing together experts from the policy, energy, and investment communities, the symposium aims to foster a deeper understanding of how energy policy and development intersect with regional security and economic recovery.

The event will take place in person at Atlantic Council Headquarters and prior registration is required. For more information and to register, visit: atlanticcouncil.org/event/the-us-syria-energy-symposium

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About the US-Syria Business Council
The US-Syria Business Council is an independent, non-profit business association dedicated to advancing bilateral trade, investment, and commercial relations between the United States and Syria. 

About the Atlantic Council
The Atlantic Council is a nonpartisan organization that promotes constructive leadership and engagement in international affairs based on the central role of the Atlantic community in meeting today’s global challenges.

Contact
Wa’el Alzayat
Executive Director, USSYBC
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RNS or Religion News Foundation.

Original Source:

https://religionnews.com/2026/03/12/us-syria-business-council-the-atlantic-council-to-convene-us-syria-energy-symposium-on-march-26/