Archbishop of Canterbury marks 10 years in office today
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, was enthroned 10 years ago today. He had been a bishop in Durham, for two years when he was appointed. A charismatic evangelical linked to Holy Trinity Brompton, his years in office have been turbulent within the church and outside. Continuing disagreements over same sex relationships look like forcing a split in the CofE and the global Anglican communion; the church’s handling of sex abuse and racism have caused harsh criticism; church membership has fallen while evangelistic missions have sprung up as parish priests campaign to save the parish. And on the public stage, he has worked through Covid, the death of the Queen, the impending coronation, Brexit and five prime ministers. The RMC is holding a briefing on this at 1200 today
Spring Solstice marked this morning
Stonehenge is marking the spring solstice early this morning as people gather to welcome the turning of the year. The solstice is celebrated in Pagan traditions in Britain, on the Eightfold Wheel of the Year with festivals taking place at intervals of about six weeks. Also known as Eostre, the Spring Equinox usually falls on 21 March. Druids name the season Alban Eilir, with a ritual including a stone, sacred fire and wine. Read our factsheet on Stonehenge and its ancient religious past >>
West Midlands Sikhs plan protest at Indian High Commission in London
Thousands of Sikhs are planning another protest outside the India High Commission in London tomorrow lunchtime, campaigning against the arrest of Sikh activists in Punjab. The internet in that region has been blocked for three days by police who are searching for Amritpal Singh, a campaigner for Khalistan, a separate Sikh homeland. Birmingham Live reports that this has caused concern among the Sikh diaspora, as people cannot communicate with their family and friends. Coaches have been laid on from gurdwaras in Smethwick and Willenhall to bring people to the protest. The last time there was a media blackout of this nature was in the first two weeks of June 1984, when the Golden Temple complex and dozens of other gurdwaras were raided by the Indian Army.
Far-right politician threatening to burn the Quran barred from the UK
Rasmus Paludan, a far-right Danish-Swedish politician who threatened to burn a copy of the Quran during a visit to Wakefield, has been barred from entering the UK. The decision was announced by Tom Tugendhat, the security minister, in the Commons yesterday. The Guardian reports that Paludan, the leader of the Stram Kurs party founded in 2017, has held several protests in which the Islamic holy book was burned, some of which have led to violent counter-protests.
Celebrities back campaign to stop Islamophobia
The Aziz Foundation held a celebrity event at the V&A museum last night, with speakers highlighting the contribution of Muslims to British society. It was part of a campaign to enshrine into UK law the United Nations International Day to Combat Islamophobia, held on 15 March. This was the date of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings, in which 51 people died. At the star studded reception, Bake Off chef Nadiya Hussain, YouTube personality Chunkz and comedian and actor Adil Ray all made speeches. The campaigners say a lack of education causes Islamophobia, made evident in the latest religious hate crime figures, where 42 per cent of cases were against Muslims.
Chelsea is first Premier League club to host an open iftar
Chelsea Football Club will host an open iftar, a community event for Muslims observing Ramadan, on Sunday 26 March at its Stamford Bridge ground in London. The event, part of the Ramadan Tent Project, will be the first staged by a Premier League club. Local mosques, Chelsea staff, Muslim school pupils and supporters will be invited. The open iftar is intended to encourage safe, mutual dialogue and engagement among attendees. Chelsea is partnering with the Ramadan Tent Project as part of its No To Hate campaign, which promotes equality, diversity and inclusion, and targets hate and discrimination in football. Ramadan starts on Wednesday 22 March and lasts for one month.
Royal Mint produces gold bullion bar for Ramadan
The Royal Mint has launched a gold bullion bar for the country’s Muslim community, depicting the Kaaba in Mecca, in time for Ramadan. The 20-gram bar has been crafted in consultation with the Muslim Council of Wales and features the distinctive cube shape of the Kaaba on a gold background. The Royal Mint donated one of the bars for auction at events across the UK in Manchester, Glasgow and London, in aid of Islamic Relief’s Turkey and Syria appeal. It raised £10,000. The bar costs £1,156 ($1,393).
New year for Baha’is and Zoroastrians
The Persian new year Naw-Ruz was celebrated last night, falling at the same time as the new year celebrations of the Baha’is, Zoroastrians and some Muslims. It marks the first day of spring, new life and light over darkness. For Bahai’s it signals the end of a 19 day fast from sunrise to sunset, which sees out the old year. Festivities include colourful parties, gifts, dancing and special food. Our factsheet on the Baha’i new year is here >>
Women’s ordination splits Cornish parish church
The Daily Mail has sent a reporter to the Cornish town of Fowey, to find out why the parish church has set its face against women priests. David Leafe hears how a small band of volunteers picked up the pieces when the previous vicar resigned over differences on sexuality. Those left behind tried to broker a compromise between opponents on women’s ordination, but failed to resolve the issue and now he concludes the church looks as though it is in sad decline. The locals are more progressive, with one saying she wouldn’t have her children baptised there as she wouldn’t like to appear that she agrees with their anti-women’s ordination stance. Others talked cheerfully about women priests working in adjoining parishes including one infamous for riding a quadbike round the village.
Turbocharged Methodist minister in Barnsley
Mac McKechnie was determined not to stop, when he retired from his job managing mental health services in Wakefield. His boundless energy saw him get an allotment, a dog and a touring caravan. His entry into U3A saw him start a magic group and German language class. Hospitalised with sepsis, he resolved to take up physical activity after recovery, joined a walking football team, and then started a walking cricket team for men and women which has caught on all over Yorkshire. As if this was not enough, he tells The Guardian that at the age of 65 he trained for the Methodist ministry, finishing a three year course in four months and is now the pastor of Staincross Christian Fellowship in Barnsley, which, by its Facebook page, is brimming with social events. Mac McKechnie is 72.
