British Sikh ‘unique fear’ amid rise in far right rhetoric and hate crime
The annual British Sikh Report 2025, which analyses data on the community’s lives and opinions year on year, reveals “an increase in fear amongst British Sikhs at levels not seen for decades”, in a year which saw an increase in far right rhetoric and physical attacks on Sikhs. The report is based on a survey of around 1,900 Sikhs who were asked questions on identity and belonging, general election voting intentions, political engagement, attitudes towards the Armed Forces, geopolitical tensions, families and relationships. Its findings suggest 49 per cent are concerned about rising anti-Sikh sentiment and confusion over Sikh identity. A recurring theme is that Sikhs are “routinely misrecognised “ and misidentified as Muslim, meaning men experience racism not for who they are, but for what they are perceived to represent within wider cultural anxieties. The survey indicated that 50 per cent were worried about misinformation or fake news on social media causing panic or hostility. And 54 per cent thought Sikh communities in the UK could be misunderstood or targeted over geopolitical tensions involving India. Other findings were that support for Labour has plummeted in a year, from 40 to 18 per cent, but there is no similar rise for any one party in exchange. 46 per cent are dissatisfied with the political representation of Sikhs in the UK, despite the fact there are now 11 Sikh MPs, up from two before the last election. The report was supported by City Sikhs, Gurdwara Aid, National Sikh Police Association and the Sikh Military Foundation. Jasvir Singh, chair of City Sikhs, said: “British Sikhs have long been a confident and proud community with a strong distinct identity, but at the present time, they are experiencing unique fears and concerns”. The report is here
Profound impact of ICE campaigns on Minneapolis churches
The Religion News Service reports on clergy joining patrols to alert neighbourhoods to the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the area of Minneapolis where Renee Good was shot dead in her car. The Rev Ashley Horan described how volunteers patrol in their cars or by standing on pavements and blow whistles or honk car horns to alert the community. She said that in the past, “clerical collars have helped visibly identify clergy and help de-escalate tensions with law enforcement officials, who are often less likely to physically confront faith leaders”, but things are different now, citing a clergyman in Chicago who was pepper sprayed. The Baptist Press reports that the activities of ICE in Minneapolis is having a profound impact on churches, where the majority are “multiethnic or non-Anglo”. Pastors report levels of fear which have stifled church gatherings and led to isolation as people are afraid to leave their homes.
Catholic bishops in Wales call for day of fasting against assisted dying bill
The Catholic Archbishop of Cardiff-Menevia, Mark O’Toole, and the Bishop of Wrexham, Peter Brignall, have expressed “deep concern” over assisted dying legislation which will be voted upon by the Senedd on 27 January. Members of the Senedd are being asked to give legislative consent to Westminster’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which is currently going through the Lords. In a joint statement, the bishops say the legislation would “represent a profound change in how society responds to those who are terminally ill”, and they propose instead to “strengthen palliative and end-of-life care so that every person can live their final days with dignity, comfort, and peace.” The Bishops are inviting people to observe a day of fasting on Monday 26 January, the day before the vote, “to be in solidarity with those who are most vulnerable to the proposed Bill, and that those intent upon passing it may undergo a change of heart.”
Draft document suggests circumcision is potential form of child abuse
The Guardian has reported that a draft document by the Crown Prosecution Service suggests that circumcision is to be classed as a potential form of child abuse, after cases of serious injury or death. The article says that the document on honour-based abuse, forced marriages, and harmful practices, classes circumcision as a potential crime alongside breast flattening, virginity testing, hymenoplasty and exorcisms. It says that unlike female genital mutilation, there is no specific criminal offence of carrying out male circumcision. The Guardian says the wording has “alarmed some religious groups, with Jewish and Muslim leaders defending the cultural importance of the practice”. Reaction here
Ofsted inspection after school cancelled visit of Jewish MP
Ofsted has launched an inspection of Bristol Brunel Academy, where the visit of local MP Damien Egan, was cancelled after opposition from a pro-Palestine group and members of staff belonging to the National Education Union. Mr Egan, who is Jewish and the vice-chair of Labour Friends of Israel, was due to talk about democracy and the role of MPs. The story came to light after Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for Communities, relayed it to a Jewish Labour Movement conference on Sunday, calling it “an absolute outrage.” Martyn Oliver, Ofsted’s chief inspector of schools in England, said: “I am troubled by the message this sends to children, especially children from the Jewish community. Those of us privileged enough to be working in education have a professional and moral duty to stand against discrimination”.
Report finds growing number of British-born imams
Hyphen Online reports on research from Cardiff University, which suggests that nearly half of the imams working in British mosques were born in the UK. The research project is by Dr Riyaz Timol, an academic at Cardiff University’s Centre for the Study of Islam, based on a survey of 2,000 British imams. It found that 48 per cent were born in the UK, compared to eight per cent in 2008. It also found a changing role for imams. Once, their work was centred on liturgy and religious practices. But now they are expected to be counsellors, community representatives and pastoral figures. Many reported pay below the national minimum wage – “overworked and underpaid”. The report by Aisha Rimi is here
David Morris to step down as assistant Bishop of Bangor
The youngest person to be appointed bishop in the Church in Wales, David Morris, is to resign his role as Bishop of Bardsey and assistant Bishop of Bangor, in a move understood to be an administrative step. The Church Times explains that an assistant bishop is appointed in the see occupied by the Archbishop of Wales until they leave. The last archbishop, Andrew John, also Bishop of Bangor, retired last summer and his successor has still not been announced. The current Archbishop of Wales, Cherry Vann, is based in Monmouth. Bishop David, 38 when consecrated two years ago, had to step up in Bangor as scandals swirled around the Cathedral after a report outlined a lack of financial controls, excessive drinking and blurred lines of sexual boundaries, which led to the departure of the former Dean and Bishop. His last service is on Valentines Day and his colleagues have paid tribute to his pastoral warmth and wise counsel in a crisis, and have offered warm wishes for his future. Church in Wales statement here.
The continuing popularity of parish magazines, reaching 180,000 people
The Rev Peter Crumpler, a former communications director with the CofE, reports that local church magazines printed on paper “are still reaching tens of thousands of readers, despite the massive impact of the web, social media and online communications”. His article in Christian Today quotes journalist Anne Coomes, who has produced “Parish Pump”, a subscription service for church magazine editors for more than 26 years, saying the publications are maintaining their popularity in many local areas. Parish Pump provides editorial content, images and illustrations to around 950 churches, with an estimated readership of about 180,000. She said there was a drop in the number of parish magazines during Covid, but this has stabilised: “These magazines may be the only Christian literature that many people ever see, so they are an important way in which local churches can communicate the gospel to their communities.” The article is here
£5 million Methodist church project to help homeless in Folkestone
Folkestone Methodist Church has announced plans for a £5 million partnership with a community project, the Rainbow Centre, that will demolish the existing church on Sandgate Road and construct a purpose-built facility with year-round homeless services, community programmes and worship space. The church says that homelessness has doubled in Folkestone in the past two years, with 115 households now in temporary accommodation. Four Folkestone neighbourhoods rank in the top 10 per cent most deprived areas nationally, while other parts of the town have been regenerated. The new facility will house essential services including a food pantry, year-round emergency shelter, dental services, clothes washing facilities, haircuts, and hot meals. It will also provide community events, courses, and worship and spirituality programmes. The Rainbow Centre, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025, was founded when Christians from different church traditions decided to work together to help people in the community. A fund raising campaign has been launched to make the project happen.
Competition to find the nation’s favourite cathedral stained glass window
The Association of English Cathedrals has launched a competition to find the nation’s favourite stained glass window. It follows an Advent and Christmas season campaign where 45 windows were posted on the Association’s social media feeds. These have been narrowed down to 12 finalists: Carlisle Cathedral – East Window; Chester Cathedral – Cloister Windows; Ely Cathedral – Processional Way Windows; Gloucester Cathedral – Great East Window; Newcastle Cathedral – Chemist’s Window; Sheffield Cathedral – Te Deum Window; St Albans Cathedral – Rose Window; St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle – West Window; Wells Cathedral – Jesse Window; Westminster Abbey – Great West Window; Worcester Cathedral – Creation and Fall West Window; York Minster – Great East Window.
