Algeria: Hindu Conversions to Buddhism; Ugly American: CIA Rape Scandal

(AP/ABC News) Officials say the 41-year old CIA officer, a convert to Islam, was ordered home by the U.S. Ambassador, David Pearce, in October after the women came forward with their rape allegations in September.

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Buddhist converts STORY BELOW (Algeria.com)

CIA Station Chief in Algeria Accused of Rapes (1/28/09)

"Ugly American"? Spy Boss Allegedly Drugged Muslim Women, Made Secret Sex Videos
Brian Ross, Kate McCarthy, and Angela M. Hill (ABC World News)

The CIA's station chief at its sensitive post in Algeria is under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department for allegedly raping at least two Muslim women who claim he laced their drinks with a knock-out drug, U.S. law enforcement sources tell ABC News.

• "Rape" in Islam: Unfortunately, under Sharia law, female victims are guilty of "adultery."

• Watch "World News with Charles Gibson" tonight for full report

The discovery of more than a dozen videotapes showing the CIA officer engaged in sex acts with other women has led the Justice Department to broaden its investigation to include at least one other Arab country, Egypt, where the CIA officer had been posted earlier in his career, according to law enforcement officials. The U.S. State Department referred questions to the Department of Justice, which declined to comment.

Obama family move through the eye of a needle (UK Fine Arts)

Low caste Indians set to Convert (Hinduism to Buddhism)

Zubair Ahmed BBC News, Mumbai at Algeria.com (5/27/07)

Thousands of tribal and Dalit Hindus in India are to embrace the Buddhism at a huge gathering in Mumbai (Bombay). The ceremony, which may be presided over by Tibet's exiled leader, the Dalai Lama, is billed as the largest religious conversion in modern India.

The converts hope to escape the rigid caste system in which their status is the lowest. Right-wing Hindus have often opposed conversion, pushing some Indian states to restrict legal changes of faith. The organizers say the number of people to convert in Sunday's ceremony could go up to 100,000 -- easily the biggest mass conversion in India's recent history.

Conversion controversies

The Dalits, once known as "Untouchables," hope the conversion will give them dignity and equal rights. Commentators say that despite the reservation of jobs for the Dalit and tribal communities, their social status and economic conditions have not greatly improved. They say that Dalits still face widespread prejudice and discrimination.

Conversion is a controversial subject in India, especially if it involves Hindus converting to Christianity or Islam. Two weeks ago two Catholic priests were publicly beaten after being accused of trying to bring a group of local people into the Catholic faith.

But converting to Buddhism does not evoke much adverse reaction, as most hardline Hindu leaders believe Buddhism is an extension of Hinduism. Even so, several Indian states, especially the ones governed by the right-wing BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), have made laws severely restricting conversion.