Newsworthy Articles

News and Media Update February 3, 2025

Faith and Festivities

January 29 ushered in the Year of the Snake. According to the Zodiac calendar commonly used all across Asia, last Wednesday marked the change in its 12-year lunar cycle. Ring in the New Year by learning more about these slithering, shimmying (sometimes scrunchy!) reptiles. 

February 15th marks Parinirvana Day—or Nirvana Day—which observes the origins of Buddhism. The religion dates back more than 2,600 years, and its origins are observed on the 15th day of the fourth month of the Bhutanese calendar. To some this day is a celebration to commemorate the day Bhudda died and reached enlightenment. Read about the holiday’s history, and how to observe a peaceful one. 

Pope Francis declared this to be the year of Jubilee in the Catholic Church. This “Sabbath of Sabbaths” began on Christmas Eve of 2024, and will continue through January 6, 2026. The sacred time occurs every 50 years, building on biblical customs rooted in rest and the seeking of spiritual fulfillment. 

Facade of the St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

Space Use 

On Friday, members of the Muslim community filed a federal lawsuit against Oyster Bay for denying an application to expand the Masjid Al-Baqi mosque—a project six years in the making. In a statement, the nonprofit Muslims on Long Island (MOLI) and two of the mosque’s congregants claim their efforts to modernize their two single-story buildings by transforming them into a single two-story building were met with “multiple layers of bureaucratic resistance.” 

Aerial view of Masjid Al-Baqi’s  two single-story buildings.
Photo credit: Muslims on Long Island (MOLI)

In Ohio, the pastor of a church called “Dad’s Place” was found guilty for failure to comply with the City of Bryan’s zoning and fire codes. Faith leader Chris Avell’s conviction comes after the choice to operate the spiritual space as a shelter during last week’s cold snap, and is the latest in a string of disputes between the chapel and the city. Despite the setback, Avell maintains the church’s “mission hasn’t changed,” while its legal team vows to fight the court’s ruling. 

Historical Havens 

Immigrant ministries react to the swift changes in policies, and many reflect on the church’s storied significance as a “safe haven” for those seeking refuge in the United States since the 1800s. 

Meanwhile, President Trump continues his crackdown on immigration, this time taking aim at so-called “Sanctuary Cities.” In an interview, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston says his city “has a clear set of values,” and while it’s “welcoming,” Denver also partners with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in “finding, arresting, and charging violent criminals.” 

Last month, Mayor Eric Adams also spoke of New York City’s plans to “coordinate” with ICE, though the extent of the collaboration remains unclear. “We’re still analyzing that executive order,” Adams said. 


Image of Jeanette Vizguerra with two of her children as they seek sanctuary at First Unitarian Church in Denver, Colorado dated 2017. Photo credit: Marc Piscotty/Getty Images/Getty Images

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