Archbishop of York says illegal immigration bill is “cruelty without purpose”
MPs are due to debate the illegal migration bill today, which would ban those coming into the UK by boats from applying for British citizenship and allow them to be removed. The bill has sparked a furious debate with football presenter Gary Lineker suspended by the BBC after tweeting his opposition. He has company. Several church leaders have come out against the plan, including this weekend, the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, who told The Observer that it amounts to cruelty without purpose and will restrict access to support for many legitimate refugees and victims of modern slavery, without even the dignity of having their case heard. He urged the government to consider alternatives “that do not unfairly penalise some of the world’s most vulnerable and which better reflect the UK’s history of compassion and moral leadership.”
Pope Francis marks 10th anniversary of election
Pope Francis will celebrate a Mass with cardinals in Rome this morning to mark the 10th anniversary of his election. There is some speculation that a new initiative may be announced. On previous anniversaries, the Jubilee of Mercy year was launched and pocket gospels were distributed. In our last weekly briefing, a panel considered his humble, simple, servant leadership and discussed his initiative to “animate the grass roots of the church” through the synodical process. His boldness has also prompted a vicious reaction from opponents mainly in America. Our report, film and podcast are signposted on our briefing page here
European and British Muslims meet in London to support charter for peace
Hundreds of Muslim leaders attended the first World Muslim League conference of European and British Muslims in London this weekend. The League, set up by in Saudi Arabia in 1962, is led by Dr Mohammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, a former justice minister, who is known for countering extremist ideology. At a gala dinner last night, the conference was told they face challenges of hate, crime, xenophobia and conflict as society becomes more polarised. But Dr Al-Issa asserted that the League’s message is love, co-existence, understanding and co-operation; and Islam is a religion of mercy, giving and benevolence. The League sees itself as an umbrella organisation, bringing together all groups within Islam. It published a “Charter of Makkah”, where it is based, in 2019 setting out agreed principles of the faith on social justice and peace. During Dr Al-Issa’s visit to London, he has met the King, the Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Cardinal Vincent Nichols and the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. He has been given an official dinner in the Houses of Parliament and will deliver an address there today.
82-year-old mosque worshipper set alight in horrific attack
An 82-year-old worshipper at the West London Islamic Centre in Ealing, has suffered severe burns after being doused in petrol and set alight outside the mosque. His attacker spoke to him for around five minutes before suddenly setting him on fire. Police are continuing to search for the suspect who walked away afterwards.
Charity Commission investigates Didsbury mosque
The charity Commission has opened a compliance case into Didsbury Mosque in south Manchester, after it was criticised in the Manchester Arena bomb inquiry. It had been attended by the suicide bomber Salman Abedi and his family. The inquiry said the mosque’s leadership was weak and did not pay sufficient attention to what went on and did not prevent the politicisation of its premises.
Faith groups pay loyal tribute to the King
Faith groups which are part of the “27 Privileged Bodies”, an ancient tradition, gave loyal greetings to the King in a ceremony last week to mark his accession to the throne. They included the General Synod of the Church of England, General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Free Churches Group, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Anglo-Jewish Association, the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, St. Paul’s Cathedral and St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, and the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales.
Aisha Bewley Awarded Muslim Woman Of The Year
The British author Aisha Bewley has been recognised for her contributions to Islamic Scholarship with an international award from the Amman based Royal Strategic Studies Centre. During 50 years of study, she has translated classical Arabic works such as The Holy Quran alongside her husband Abdalhaqq Bewley, Al-Muwatta of Imam Malik, Tafsir of Al Qurtubi and many more. The RSSC publishes an annual list for the 500 most influential Muslims in the world, with the top two titles of Muslim man and woman of the year.
