Muslims “will be among worst affected” by cost of living crisis
Zara Mohammed, the Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, is warning that Muslims will be among the worst affected by the cost of living crisis. In an opinion piece for Islam TV, she says 46 per cent of Muslims live in the bottom 10 per cent of the most deprived local authority districts in England; and the National Zakat Foundation reported a 90 per cent year-on-year increase in applications for its hardship relief fund. She cites research showing 34 per cent of people from racially diverse backgrounds can no longer afford to pay their bills, rent or mortgage each month; and almost half of 16- to 25-year-olds have gone to bed hungry in the last 12 months. But she has found hope in local heroes who provide vital services across the country and encourage community building amongst people in need of help. She says the MCB is working with interfaith and civil society partners to help in the crisis.
Two people arrested after sex abuse complaints at the Nine O’Clock Service
The Times reports that a man and woman have been arrested as part of a criminal investigation into alleged sex offences at the Nine O’Clock Service, an alternative rave worship service run within the Church of England in Sheffield more than 30 years ago. Worship resembled a nightclub, with strobing lights, loud rock and dancing, and the approach attracted hundreds of young people from 1980 to 1995, when the service was closed down. The police inquiry began last year when several former NOS members alleged that they had been sexually assaulted. Richard Scorer, specialist abuse lawyer, is acting for some of the alleged victims. A police spokeswoman told The Times: “Two people, a man and a woman, have been arrested on suspicion of sexual offences, alleged to have taken place in Sheffield between 1980 to 1995. They have since been released under investigation pending further enquiries.”
Meeting between the Pope and Patriarch Kirill will not go ahead
Reuters reports that The Russian Orthodox leader, Patriarch Kirill, will not attend a meeting of worldwide religious leaders in Kazakhstan next month, scuppering the possibility of a meeting with the Pope. The Pope has consistently spoken out against the war in Ukraine but has held out the hope of talks with the Patriarch who supports the war. Reuters says the Russian Orthodox Bishop Anthony told a Russian news agency that Kirill would be represented instead by an official delegation at the meeting. He added that any meeting between the Pope and the Patriarch must be a stand alone major event, not on the side lines of another gathering.
GCSE results for RE prompt renewed calls for a national plan to bolster support
The number of students in England and Wales taking a GCSE course in Religious Studies has risen to 253,225, an increase of 0.6 per cent from last year. The short course was taken by 18,257 pupils, a rise of 16.5 per cent in a year. But in Wales, the number of entries to RS courses fell by 11 per cent. The Religious Education Council of England and Wales and the National Association of Teachers of RE are calling for more government money to bolster the subject in schools. They are joined by Lord Karan Bilimoria, vice president of the Confederation of British Industry and Chancellor of the University of Birmingham: “When it comes to levelling up education, the latest data shows that giving more support to religious education students at GCSE is an easy win. If RS is the humanity that disadvantaged young people are most likely to take, then backing this up with a properly funded National Plan is a must. The subject will provide those young people with the crucial skills of analysis, curiosity and intellectual confidence as part of a broad, balanced education and give them a headstart in the global workplace.”
Hillsong Australia’s financial dealings examined in court
A whistleblower is suing Hillsong in Australia, alleging that millions of dollars in payments were made through overseas entities to avoid scrutiny by the Australian charities regulator. The claims were revealed by ABC investigations, as the whistleblower lodged papers in court as part of a Fair Work case against the church. ABC says the documents “allege dubious financial record-keeping, the misappropriation of church finances, and claim Hillsong leaders used tax-free money for “large cash gifts” to Hillsong founder Brian Houston and his family”. Hillsong has declined to comment on the case. Houston resigned in March after inappropriate conduct of “serious concern” with two women was reported.
Hillsong Australia annual accounts show fall of $11million income
The Christian Post reports Hillsong’s latest annual accounts showing a drop of nearly $11 million in income, which comes primarily from donations. Its total revenue for 2021 was almost $77million – 12.3 per cent less than the nearly $88 million in revenue generated by the church in 2020 during the height of the Covid pandemic. Hillsong’s general manager said it would take years to recover the shortfall, but the church had a reputation for good financial management and the advantage of a generous congregation.
British church leaders speak out against plans for new Israeli settlement in east Jerusalem
Leaders from the Church of Scotland, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church have issued a joint statement against a proposal for an Israeli settlement in the West Bank, to the east of Jerusalem. A planning committee will consider the application on 12 September. The leaders say it would “create an insurmountable impediment” to an adjacent Palestinian state. They urge the UK government “to act with speed to halt this disturbing development” and to make clear that granting permission would have “serious political and economic repercussions for the relationship between our countries”. The signatories are: Rev Fiona Bennett, Moderator of General Assembly, United Reformed Church; Dr Iain Greenshields, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland; and Rev Graham Thompson, President of the Conference of the Methodist Church.
UK joins international court action on genocide against Rohingya
The UK government has pledged to support an international court case on whether Myanmar committed genocide against Rohingya. Around 745,000 mainly Muslim Rohingya were forced to flee from their homes five years ago, in a wave of violence at the hands of the military junta. They were subjected to gang rape, torture, slaughter and arson, and many escaped to Bangladesh, where they live in cramped refugee camps. A case at the International Court of Justice in the Hague, seeks to determine whether the military violated its obligations under the Genocide Convention. The UK is joining Canada and the Netherlands in backing the case. Telegraph report here
Church sued for re-writing the musical Hamilton
An American church which re-wrote and then performed the musical Hamilton, without permission, is being sued for damages. Hamilton tells the story of a founding father of America, but the re-write added a story line that Alexander Hamilton became a born again Christian and delivered a sermon inviting those struggling with substance abuse and homosexuality to turn to God for help. Clips were shown on social media, the show’s producers lodged a protest and lawyers are claiming damages. The Door McAllen church, in Texas, has said it will never perform the show again and will destroy recordings and images. Damages will be paid to the South Texas Equality Project, which supports the LGBTQ community.
