In order to promote religious tolerance and reduce violence and discrimination against practitioners of African derived religions in Brazil, the International Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights (Race and Equality) has launched a project to combat religious intolerance in Brazil
Today , the Latin American country , has established a jail term to effectively combat the high rate of religious intolerance in the country , it has stipulated a minimum of one year sentence for those who discriminates the Yoruba traditional religion . This new bill , according to authorities , will further facilitate the combat of religious intolerance in the country .
The nation has also dedicated every January 21 , as its National Day against Religious Intolerance . This date was chosen in honor of a great traditionalist, Iyalorisa Mãe Gilda de Ogum , who was a victim of religious intolerance in 1999.
Iyalorisa Mãe Gilda’s pictures were published in a church newspapers “ Universal Church Of The Kingdom Of God “ with the title “ Charlatan Macumbeiros ‘ Olorisas’ steals pockets and lives of devotees “ The publication led to the invasion of her shrine by groups against Orisa religion . she was persecuted , which eventually led to her death on the 21st January. 2000
Today , the penalty for crime against Orisa religion in Brazil ranges from 1 to 3 years in prison without chances of bail . “ Religious Intolerance is committing acts of vandalism against the shrines , temples of other people’s religion . This law is to protect and guarantee the rights of every citizen and their religious options “ Says Babalorisa Adeilson
