In an audio tape released last week, the spiritual leader of radical Somali Islamist group al-Shabab, himself from Somaliland, ridiculed the breakaway region's continued attempt at democracy and independent statehood, saying that despite its nearly two-decade quest the region remains isolated and politically divided.

VOA: standard.2009.09.07

Yet he says this message is often more scary for people than the idea that leprosy is some sort of spiritual punishment.

VOA: special.2009.10.14

She wrote "I Must Be Saved" to honor the folk singer Odetta whom Peyroux calls her spiritual grandmother.

VOA: special.2009.07.10

A religious leader may also talk about the person and offer spiritual comfort to the family.

VOA: special.2009.12.11

For the Taos Indians, it will always be the center of their cultural and spiritual world.

VOA: special.2010.07.05

As a result, the United States is a nation where many spiritual beliefs are represented.

VOA: special.2010.03.05

He was greatly influenced by the Indian spiritual and political leader, Mahatma Gandhi.

VOA: special.2009.01.16

The paintings also had a moral and spiritual message.

VOA: special.2009.05.01

" ...when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last! Free at last!

VOA: special.2010.04.16

(SPEAKING) The Kremlin leader recognizes Islam and Islamic spiritual leaders have a special place in the Caucasus.

VOA: standard.2010.04.01

She is also his emotional and spiritual guide, the one who provides a reality check for him.

VOA: standard.2010.07.20

Pope Benedict said Angolans should "meet one another fearlessly, agreeing to share personal resources, both spiritual and material, for the good of all."

VOA: standard.2009.03.20

Soon,inside the packed church, Horne's coffin was solemnly brought in, and the congregation began to sing an old spiritual hymn dear to Horne herself.

VOA: standard.2010.05.15

Political analyst Masha Lipman at the Moscow Carnegie Center says President Medvedev's appeal to Islamic spiritual leaders may be an attempt to contrast ordinary with radical Islam.

VOA: standard.2010.04.01