Election of Humza Yousaf, first Muslim UK party leader, a “momentous moment”
Humza Yousaf, the newly elected leader of the Scottish National Party, is the first Muslim leader of a major UK political party. His paternal grandparents came to Scotland from Pakistan in the 1960s and his mother was born into a South Asian family in Kenya. Yousaf was first elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2011 and became the first Muslim to be appointed to the Scottish cabinet in 2012. The Muslim Council of Britain’s secretary-general, Zara Mohammed, also from Glasgow, said: “The election of Humza Yousaf is not only momentous for Scotland but also for the United Kingdom – the first leader of a British nation from a Muslim background. We hope the new first minister will actively work to address those critical challenges facing communities at this current time and be a source of great unity across communities. We look forward to working with the first minister, for the common good.”
Board of Deputies expresses grave concern at Israeli government
The Board of Deputies of British Jews has overwhelmingly backed a motion saying British Jews are deeply committed to Israel but express grave concern that the new Israeli government “includes individuals whose views and actions are in contrast to the tolerant and inclusive values of our community”. The Israeli government is a coalition including ultra nationalist and right wing parties. The Board of Deputies voted on Sunday as Israel witnessed mass protests at plans to overhaul the judiciary, now delayed by Netanyahu, who says it will give time to broker a compromise. Jewish News quotes one deputy saying that the result showed the centre ground of the Board had shifted to a position “much more critical of the Israeli government”.
Bishop’s bill on two child limit passed by the Lords
A private member’s bill brought by the Bishop of Durham, Paul Butler, to abolish the two-child limit on universal credit, has completed its passage through the House of Lords and will now be considered in the House of Commons. At present means-tested benefits are restricted to the first two children in a family if they were born after April 2017. Bishop Paul told the Lords that the two-child limit has become the greatest contributor to driving children into poverty. “It impacts an estimated 1.3 million children, disproportionately affecting children of certain religions and ethnic minority backgrounds.”
Appeal for help in Rolling Fork, Mississippi
The Episcopal News Service reports that the tornado that tore through the town of Rolling Fork, Mississippi, at the weekend severely damaged the Episcopal Chapel of the Cross and damaged the homes of almost all the congregation. Church leaders are appealing for financial contributions for immediate aid for the town and long term rebuilding of the church. The Pope has urged everyone to pray for the victims and people recovering from the loss of life and devastating destruction. The storm killed 26 people and a state of emergency has been declared.
Man sentenced to death in Pakistan for blasphemy
A man has been sentenced to death in Pakistan over a WhatsApp post, judged by an anti-terrorism court to be blasphemous. Syed Muhammad Zeeshan was charged under the country’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act and Anti-Terrorist Act and was also fined £3,500. The Independent reports that in January, Pakistan extended the punishment for blasphemy to those convicted for insulting religious figures connected to the prophet Muhammad. It says this raised concerns that prosecutions would increase for religious minorities including Hindus and Christians.
50th Greenbelt festival line up
The 50th Greenbelt Festival this August will include comedian Milton Jones, actor Adjoa Andoh – Lady Danbury in Bridgerton, Laura Mvula, Bishop John Sentamu and food campaigner Jack Monroe. Details here
Lebanon working in two time zones in religious dispute
A dispute between Muslims and Christians over moving the clocks forward in Lebanon, has led to the country operating on two different time systems. Najib Makati, the Sunni caretaker prime minister, said clocks would not go forward during Ramadan, which would mean the fast could be broken earlier. Maronite Christians refused to comply because there had been no consultation. The Times reports that two news channels and the national telecoms company kept wintertime. The justice minister appealed for clocks to change saying the dispute along religious lines was not needed in a country facing numerous crises.
The Pope in a white puffer jacket – an AI fake that tricked millions
A fake, AI-generated image of Pope Francis in a white puffer jacket and bejewelled crucifix has gone viral with people mistaking it for real. BuzzFeed News says the man behind it is a 31-year-old construction worker from the Chicago area, who told them he was tripping on magic mushrooms when he came up with the idea for the image. He posted them to the Facebook group AI Art Universe, and then on Reddit. He was shocked when the images quickly went viral. “I was just blown away,” he said. “I didn’t want it to blow up like that.” Journalist Ryan Broderick posted on Twitter that there was something particular about the pope’s image that lends credence to the fake. “My theory as to why it’s fooling so many (myself initially included) is that the pope aesthetically exists in the same uncanny valley as most AI art”.
