Freedom of religion or belief: government admits there is more to do
The International Ministerial Conference on the Freedom of Religion or Belief opens in London today. Hours before, an independent review of the government’s actions in the past three years concluded that work is in progress but there is more to do. In a statement, the foreign secretary Liz Truss referred to a report from the Bishop of Truro in 2019, on the persecution of Christians and all people on grounds of belief. The government pledged to act on its recommendations and Truss pointed to action within the United Nations and G7 and said the government had sent a clear message that the international community will not turn a blind eye to serious and systematic violations of human rights. Read our explainer on the conference here and view our media briefing here
Chief Rabbi meets Islamic scholar in parliament
The Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis engaged in a conversation with the Islamic scholar Sheikh Abdallah bin Bayyah, during a visit to parliament. The intention was to signal deepening friendship two years after the Abraham Accords established peace between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. The Jewish Chronicle quotes the Sheikh saying the United Arab Emirates is stepping up efforts to fight religious discrimination against Jews and believed that “peddlers of hate and violence” can be challenged by returning to core texts.
Bishop launches ‘visitation’ inquiry into Truro Cathedral
The Bishop of Truro, Philip Mountstephen, is undertaking a “visitation” of Truro Cathedral, a formal legal process of inquiry, which follows an external review from earlier this year. In a statement, the bishop says a visitation allows a diocesan bishop to inquire into ways the cathedral is being governed and then give directions to resolve issues. He said: “In a rapidly changing culture, which brings more challenges for the church, I felt it was right to conduct a visitation at this time to ensure that the cathedral is both clear and efficient in its governance processes, as well as following clear and transparent procedures with regard to safeguarding”. Full statement is here
German mosque flies Pride flag
A Berlin mosque is flying the Pride flag with the words “love is halal” on the front. The mosque founder Seyran Ateş told Queer.de that she believed the flag was “extremely important” for Muslim LGBTQ+ people: “It shows that they do not have to choose between their faith and their sexual identity, but are accepted as such, as they are.” An imam there said it was a “safe place for people who are different, so they too can experience the spiritual side of their lives”.
Novak Djokovic finds solace and new fans in a temple near Wimbledon
The Times reports that Novak Djokovic is a regular visitor to the Buddhist Buddhapadipa Temple, five minutes from Wimbledon, where he meditates between matches. It quotes Venerable Piyobhaso, the senior monk in charge of meditation, saying that Djokovic is their friend, a regular visitor who has spent up to an hour in the temple’s grounds, which include a park and lake. He said the player is an Orthodox Christian who finds the Buddhist practice of meditation helps his mind to focus
