2021 anti Jewish hate incidents up 34 per cent in a year
The Community Security Trust’s Antisemitic Incidents Report 2021, says anti-Jewish hate incidents hit a record high in the UK. 2,255 incidents were recorded in 2021 and 173 violent assaults. This is a 34% increase from 2020 when 1,684 incidents were recorded. The biggest surge occurred during the conflict in the Middle East in May 2021. High volumes of cases were also recorded in schools and universities. Lord Mann, the government’s antisemitism adviser, said the report requires a reconsideration of efforts to tackle antisemitism.
Australian religious discrimination bill falls
In Australia, the government has shelved the religious discrimination law after last minute amendments to protect LGBTQ+ students provoked opposition from religious schools and conservative Christians. The amendments removed exemptions allowing schools to discriminate against trans students. The bill was promised in the Liberal party’s 2019 election manifesto, at the instigation of a conservative Christian lobby – the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, is well known for his Pentecostal allegiance. The bill has been subject to fierce opposition at every stage.
New Zealand inquiry into sex abuse of children in care of Catholic church
An inquiry into sex abuse of children in the care of the Catholic church in New Zealand, has heard harrowing stories from the victims of Brother Bernard McGrath, now serving 33 years in prison for 64 sex abuse offences. The Telegraph reports that the inquiry was told one victim was forced to confront a corpse in a morgue as a way of intimidating him into staying silent. The inquiry is into abuse by priests of the St John of God order at three Catholic institutions in Christchurch on the South Island. Brother Bernard McGrath worked in New Zealand and Australia and the inquiry is investigating the so called “geographic solution”, where abusers were shifted between countries.
Half the multimillion funded Muslim start-up companies are based in the US
The California based Center for Global Muslim Life, has published a list of the top 100 most innovative Global Muslim Startup companies. Half are in the Untied States, as compared to south east Asia in previous years. And there has been a rapid increase in investment, with funding in the Muslim start up sector doubling in seven years, reaching $400million from venture capital funds. The top five sectors in US-based companies are Social Impact, Halal Food, Media, Islamic Education and Fashion. Medium article here
Bronze statue of medieval Jewish woman Licoricia unveiled in Winchester
The statue of Licoricia, a prominent medieval Jewish businesswoman around the court of Henry III, has been unveiled in Winchester. The Prince of Wales was due to lead the ceremony, but had to withdraw because he tested positive for Covid. Instead, the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson, performed the unveiling and the Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis gave a blessing. Licoricia amassed great wealth as a successful money lender, giving money towards building Westminster Abbey. Her business dealings sometimes led to disputes and she was stabbed to death by unknown attackers in Winchester in 1277. Trustees supporting the project say the statue will highlight the important role of Jewish people in the life of the city, despite persecution which eventually led to all Jewish people being expelled from England in 1290.
Ban florists’ foam in church
The Church of England’s general synod has been asked to ban the use of florists’ foam and imported flowers in flower arrangements, because this damages the environment. According to Premier Christian News, Charles Houston from the Hereford Diocese, called for sanctions or repercussions for the use of floral foam and imported flowers in church buildings and asked authorities “to bring in an immediate ban on all floral foam in its buildings both in weekly flowers but particularly at weddings and funerals”. Instead of using foam to create arrangements, pebbles, sand and moss could be used instead. The campaign has taken off with St Bartholomew’s, Harpley, in the Worcester Diocese, promoting a foam-free church.
