London mayor Sadiq Khan in Mecca for annual Hajj pilgrimage
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has posted on Instagram about his Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and the profound impact it made on him. He said: “Truly honoured and blessed to be able to perform Hajj this year, Alhamdulillah. (Praise be to God) Hajj is a profoundly life-changing journey symbolising equality, unity and our collective humanity. Standing in the state of ihram – a simple unstitched garment – with so many millions of pilgrims from right across the world is a beautiful reminder of how we are all equal before God. Hajj in its essence symbolises humility, forgiveness and rebirth through self-improvement. It is not just about the physical rituals – which has many challenges in the hot desert heat – but also the spiritual journey which is a once in a lifetime opportunity to reflect and engage with faith on a much deeper level. I will of course be remembering all those in need in London and around the world in my prayers and duas”.
Eid-ul-Adha celebrated in large gatherings across Britain
The festival of Eid-ul-Adha follows the main rites of Hajj and has been celebrated around the world over the past day. In Britain, thousands of Muslims gathered in parks for prayer, fairs and community celebrations. Eid-ul-Adha factsheet here. Hajj factsheet here.
British Muslim Network evolves into UK Muslim Network
The British Muslim Network (BMN), which was launched in 2024 to serve as a bridge between Muslim communities and UK policy makers, has “evolved” into the UK Muslim Network. The new network says it became clear that a structured organisation was needed, with stronger governance and clearer accountability, and a commitment to building “a national footprint well beyond London and the familiar networks”. Its co-founders are Julie Siddiqi and Imam Qari Asim, who is the executive director. He was also a co-founder of the original BMN, and the new network promises to “honour everything that came before it”. The mission remains the same, to see where Muslim expertise is missing in public policy, for example in health, housing and criminal justice reform, and ensure Muslims are heard through expert-led “Impact Labs” feeding directly into government. It seeks to address a vacuum that has built over 17 years, where successive governments stopped engaging with the Muslim Council of Britain. The Coordination Group which will help run the work, includes Dr Hina Shahid, Rukhsana Yaqoob, Jordan Patel, Nasar Iqbal, Mustafa Field, Ibrahim Syed and Mabs Hussain.
Jesuit Refugee Service says children are being detained and deported
A report by the Jesuit Refugee Service UK and Humans for Rights Network says growing numbers of unaccompanied children are being wrongly treated as adults, detained in immigration removal centres and, in some cases, deported to France under the UK-France “one-in-one-out” agreement. It says that since the scheme began in August 2025, NGOs have identified at least 141 age-disputed young people in detention, despite children being excluded from the scheme. At least 64 were later recognised as children by local authorities, while 18 had already been removed to France. Sophie Cartwright of JRS UK said: “It is horrifying that children are being detained,” adding many had experienced torture, trafficking or serious trauma. The organisations are calling for an immediate end to child immigration detention and urgent reforms to the scheme. A Home Office spokesperson said they completely reject claims children are being sent to France as part of the one in, one out deal: “The safety and wellbeing of children in care is paramount, and individuals are not removed to France where their age is in dispute.” The Home Office brought out its own report today saying young asylum seekers are more than twice as likely to be assessed as adults by immigration officers who act “at pace”, as compared to assessments by local authority social workers. Guardian story here.
Oxford Union postpones debate with Tommy Robinson
The Oxford Union has announced that its planned debate including far-right leader Tommy Robinson, which was due to take place today 28 May, has been postponed to allow time for planning of the event. In a statement it said: “We are grateful to our local partners and stakeholders for their continued support and engagement. We expect to confirm the new date shortly, following discussions with our speakers”. The decision followed public criticism from the Bishop of Oxford, Steven Croft, and Imam Monawar Hussain, co-chairs of the Oxfordshire Faith and Civic Leaders Forum and the Thames Valley Faith and Civic Leaders Forum, who said the proposed event was “untimely and divisive” and it should be withdrawn for the sake of the city and its peace.
Candidate chosen as next Bishop of Bristol, withdraws for family reasons
The person offered the role as the next Bishop of Bristol, has withdrawn from the nomination for family reasons. They would have followed Bishop Vivienne Faull who held the job for seven years and retired last September. In a statement, the diocese says that “people across our diocese may experience a range of thoughts and emotions in response to this news”, but the church’s mission and priorities continue unchanged. The Bishop of Swindon, Neil Warwick, will continue to act as Bishop of Bristol while the appointment process is re-run.
Aid agencies appeal for Ebola hit communities in DRC
The Christian agency Tearfund reports that churches are on the frontline of health information in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as more than 270 people have died from Ebola and the number of suspected cases continues to rise. A pastor from a church in the eastern region of Bunia, says many people are being buried every day, and the church is displaying information and offering advice, while staff wear protective clothing, keep their distance and disinfect the area. The church is also distributing hygiene kits, building toilets and managing waste, to prevent the spread of the disease. CAFOD has also emphasised the key role of church leaders in the Ebola crisis, saying that in many parts of the DRC, the Catholic Church is one of the most trusted providers of healthcare and operates an estimated 45 per cent of the country’s health facilities. Volunteers are on the front line ensuring communities are aware of the risks so that the number of new infections can decrease.
Pope appeals for peace in Ukraine
Pope Leo has made an urgent appeal for peace following the latest Russian attacks on Ukraine. At his Wednesday general audience, he said “I follow with concern the war in Ukraine, which has sharply intensified in recent days. I wish to express my closeness to all those suffering because of the recent attacks, including those against civilians. War does not solve problems, it worsens them. It does not build security but multiplies suffering and hatred. Wherever missiles and drones fall, hopes also collapse; homes and places of worship are destroyed, and innocent lives are shattered.” He also blessed pilgrims from Lebanon and Poland.
Tom Holland inaugurated as Durham cathedral’s Bede Librarian
Tom Holland was inaugurated as Durham Cathedral’s first Bede Librarian during Choral Evensong for the Feast of the Venerable Bede on Monday 25 May. The celebrations concluded with his address to a sold-out Durham Cathedral Institute event on Tuesday 26 May, on the topic of “Cuthbert, Bede and the Renewal of Culture”. He has taken on the honorary role to help promote the cathedral’s archives and collections and to celebrate the legacy of the Venerable Bede, the seventh-century scholar and saint buried at Durham Cathedral.
Churches are cool
Churches and cathedrals have been opened up as cool spaces in the heatwave, offering sanctuary from blistering temperatures in the cool of large stone buildings, with supplies of drinking water, soft drinks, tea and cakes. The Church of England pointed people to its directory of churches “A Church Near You” where people can find refuge. The London Assembly has launched a map showing all cool spaces open this summer.
