We take a look at one of Iraq's most elusive religious minorities. Hindus gather for worship along the Ganga River in an annual ritual. And Muslims in the West stand up to religious violence. It's Faithful Friday, our weekly segment on faiths and religious communities around the world. All this and more for the Pagan News Beagle!

Death and birth are two of the events every person experiences. It's natural then that both are at the center of many religious rituals. The Huffington Post takes a look at 12 different spiritual rituals focused on the birth of a child in several different religions from around the world.

Although predominantly Islamic, Iraq is home to many other religions: Yazdanism, Christianity, Judaism, Mandaenism, Zoroastrianism, etc. One religion few people, including anthropologists, know very little about is the faith of the Kaka'i, an Iranian-speaking group found in northern Iraq. Al Monitor takes a look at the elusive group and their religion.

There are many holy sites in the world: Jerusalem, Mecca, Rome to name a few. One that consistently draws crowds is Haridwar, a city in northern India along the Ganga River sacred to Hindus. Hinduism Today takes a look at what makes Haridwar so special.

The way we approach religion hasn't always stayed the same throughout history. A lot changes with time. So how then will tomorrow's generation approach it? A lot of data suggests a large proportion of young Americans affiliate themselves with no religion in particular. But that doesn't necessarily mean they're irreligious or nonspiritual.

Time and time again, Muslims are asked to stand up to religious extremists within their faith. Time and time again, the world ignores when they do so. Hopefully this time will be different, as Muslims throughout the west rally against the violence perpetuated by Daesh, the terrorist organization and pseudo-state based out of Syria and Iraq that has claimed responsibility for the attack on Brussels. The Daily Beast has more details.

Top image by Anshul Dabral