Pope Leo welcomes agreement between Iran and the USA
Pope Leo has welcomed the agreement reached between Iran and the United States of America, as “an encouraging result of patient work of dialogue and negotiation”. At the weekly general audience, he thanked the third-party countries which have facilitated peace negotiations and said: “I hope that this agreement may help strengthen mutual trust, security and stability in the Middle East, promoting paths of dialogue and cooperation among peoples”. The two countries are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Friday, after nearly four months of war.
Report says more than half of British Muslims experienced prejudice last year
British Future and the British Muslim Trust are bringing out a series of publications drawing on research into public attitudes towards Muslims. aiming to understand the extent and nature of prejudice and hostility so as to tackle it more effectively. The first report, “Understanding Anti-Muslim Hostility: Foundations for Action” suggests more than half of Muslims (56 per cent) experienced prejudice based on their religion in the last year, but three-quarters (73 per cent) still felt the UK is a good place to be Muslim. The data is from a survey of 1,013 Muslims in Britain and a further nationally representative survey of 2,000 GB adults, by Number Cruncher Politics. More here >>
Ahmadi religion members appear in court after police raids in April
Twenty-four members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, based in Crewe, appeared at South Cheshire Magistrates Court yesterday charged with a range of offences including obstructing police officers, failing to comply with police directions and assaulting an officer. The cases follow a police raid on three addresses linked to the group in April this year, which the police said was part of an investigation into reports of sexual abuse, forced marriage and modern slavery. All defendants pleaded not guilty and were granted unconditional bail until trial next April. The group has its roots in Twelver Shia Islam and was founded in 1999 by Ahmed al-Hassan, who claimed to have met the Twelfth Imam in person and was asked by him to take on a religious mission. The group set up its headquarters in Crewe in 2021. Factsheet on the group is here.
Protests as Tommy Robinson speaks in Oxford Union debate on Islam
The far right activist Tommy Robinson spoke at an Oxford Union event last night, in a debate entitled “This house believes the West is right to be suspicious of Islam”, which faith leaders had earlier pleaded should not ahead for the sake of the city and its peace. One of the speakers opposing him was Jacob ReesMogg, who said the best way to answer him was to debate with him. Protesters against the far right gathered in the city to prevent people entering the building and there were angry scenes on the streets as police tried to separate the anti-immigration group Oxfordshire Patriots and the anti-fascists. The Times reports that the chamber was half full. The debate was not carried live and it is not known whether a recording will find its way online. Local MP Anneliese Dodds said the Oxford Union’s decision to give Tommy Robinson a platform, meant people feared going into the city centre, and businesses, the community and the city were suffering.
Nihangs Sikh order and its links with the man who murdered Henry Nowak
Writing in Unherd, reporter Amardeep Bassey explains the story of the Nihangs order within the Sikh tradition, to which the murderer Vickrum Digwa belonged. Digwa was sentenced to life for stabbing to death teenager Henry Nowak, in Southampton, with a knife known as a pesh-kabz, a straight-bladed dagger especially associated with the Nihangs. In the UK, the movement has a few hundred adherents. The article says that mention was made of the Nihangs in the judge’s sentencing remarks, and the report is an account of the order, its beliefs, history and the extent of its influence. Article is here.
Warning that Reform UK will lose Sikh support over any kirpan ban
The Guardian community affairs correspondent reports on disquiet among British Sikhs who have recently supported the Reform UK party. They are concerned at calls for the kirpan, the ceremonial knife worn by Khalsa initiated Sikhs, to be banned, following the murder of teenager Henry Nowak, who was stabbed to death by a Sikh man in Southampton. Sikhs point out the knife used was not the ceremonial kirpan, but another blade. However, calls for the kirpan to be banned have angered some Sikh leaders who, it is reported, have met Reform leaders warning their support could be withdrawn. Story is here
Book outlines ‘church toolkit’ for resisting the far right
A new book by Baptist theologian Rev Dr Helen Paynter, that aims to offer strategies to church leaders to respond to the rise of Christian nationalism, has been published by Canterbury Press, Norwich. Dr Paynter, Director of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence, and tutor in Old Testament at Bristol Baptist College, said she has been looking at the use of Christian scripture and theological symbols by far-right movements, especially in the UK: “Over the course of this time, the national landscape has shifted enormously and in concerning ways. Many church leaders in the UK are becoming very concerned about the rise of Christian nationalism and other far-right ideologies within society in general, and in the church”. The book “Faithful Presence in a Fractured World: A Church Toolkit for Resisting the Far Right”, outlines key ideas from church leaders already engaged in the process, with suggestions such as youth engagement, interfaith dialogue, housing justice and digital literacy.
Vicar and ordinand raise £40,000 from sponsored run
A vicar and ordinand in Cornwall have raised £40,000 for a church roof repair, after running up a hill between two churches 100 times – a total of 8900 meters, the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest. The Rev Dr Nick Widdows, vicar of St Ives and Halsetown, and ordinand Rob Argall, ran up the hill and cycled back repeatedly over four days, during the heatwave. Dr Widdows said that he was “deeply fatigued” when the challenge ended but deeply grateful for donations. Daily reports and film so Instagram here
