Djed Spence becomes first Muslim footballer to play for England
Tottenham Hotspur defender, Djed Spence, has made history as the first Muslim footballer to win a senior cap for England. The 25-year-old came off the bench in the 69th minute of England’s 5-0 World Cup qualifying win over Serbia in Belgrade, replacing Chelsea’s Reece James. Speaking after the match, Spence said: “I was surprised because I didn’t know I was the first, so it’s a blessing. It’s good to make history and hopefully inspire young kids around the world that they can make it as well.” The London-born defender later shared his joy on social media, calling the debut “arguably the greatest and proudest day of my life… GOD IS THE GREATEST!”. Spence has spoken openly about the central role Islam plays in his career, saying his faith sustains him through challenges. During Ramadan last year, he and his Spurs teammate, Pape Sarr, were praised by then-manager Ange Postecoglou for performing at the highest level while fasting. Reuters report here
Quakers sit down protest outside London arms fair
Quakers sat down and worshipped outside the Defence and Security Equipment International arms fair at London’s ExCeL Centre, in protest at “how the UK enables war profiteers”. They are calling for an immediate end to the arms trade and say that inside the fair, 1600 weapons manufacturers and buyers “strike deals that fuel war, repression, and genocide around the world”. The UK government has banned Israeli government officials from the fair, but several Israeli defence corporations, such as Elbit Systems, Rafael, Israel Aerospace Industries, and Uvision, are present.
US Department of War quotes scripture while praising military actions
The US Religion News Service reports that videos praising the US military while quoting the Bible have “flooded the former Department of Defense’s social media accounts over the last few weeks”. The Twitter / X account has been renamed “The United States Department of War Rapid Response” account, and last Sunday it posted a clip showing military personnel completing outdoor training with the words “Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid, nor dismayed. For the Lord your God is with you, wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). The report says the Department has joined others “embracing a Christian nationalist tone in its official communications”. The US Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, is a conservative Christian who worships at a church which is part of the Calvinist Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, which has a strident evangelistic mission for Christianity to take over communities, towns and the whole nation. CNN reports on the church here
Trump asks Americans to pray for their nation
Donald Trump has called for Americans to join weekly prayer groups, praying for the nation as it approaches the 250th anniversary of its independence in 2026. Speaking at the White House Religious Liberty Commission, he announced the America Prays initiative , which he described as “an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the principles that gave birth to this land of liberty”, quoting George Washington saying religion and morality are indispensable supports to political prosperity. The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, denied this was an example of Christian nationalism, saying that many non-Christian Americans also pray and the president is exhorting prayer from all faith communities.
Churches urge prayers for peace in Gaza and the Holy Land
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland is urging Christians to pray for a just and lasting peace in Gaza and the wider region of the Holy Land, on Sunday 21 September, which is the UN International Day of Peace. It’s part of the World Council of Churches week for peace, and church members are asked to pray for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, unfettered access to humanitarian relief, an end to violence in Israel and Palestine, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees and a meaningful peace process. The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, John McDowell, said people in authority should search their hearts: “Is there to be no end to the innocent suffering – of the people of Gaza, of the hostages held by Hamas, of the families of the hostages and the families of the dead and maimed in Gaza, of the little children? For how much longer can the protagonists remain deaf to the heart-rending cries of suffering and the urging of so many around the world to turn their minds to peace?”
Jewish staff networks are ‘big positive’ for the community
Lord Mann, the government’s independent adviser on antisemitism, has told a conference for Jewish professionals in the workplace, that Jewish staff networks have been one of the “big positives” for the Jewish community in the past two years. The conference was organised by the Board of Deputies, and attracted some 40 people, all members of their work staff networks. The Board’s president, Phil Rosenberg, said: “We want the workplace to be somewhere where everybody can thrive, where diversity is celebrated and where respect is woven into daily life. So often it seems that Jews don’t count. We work every day to insist that Jews must count..I want to assure you all that we’ve got your back.” The conference included workshops and talks on combatting antisemitism and sharing strategies for how to respond to challenges in the workplace.
Film ‘Nuns vs the Vatican’ explores response to sexual abuse of nuns
A new documentary has reignited scrutiny of the Catholic church’s handling of sexual abuse allegations. Nuns vs the Vatican, directed by Emmy-winner Lorena Luciano and premiered at the Toronto film festival, explores claims of abuse by former Jesuit priest, Marko Rupnik. Survivors, including Gloria Branciani and Mirjam Kovac, recount alleged sexual, spiritual and physical abuse in the Ignatius Loyola community he co-founded in Slovenia. Rupnik, once a celebrated artist dubbed “the Michelangelo of the John Paul II papacy,” was briefly excommunicated in 2020 before the sanction was lifted when he repented. The film highlights how victims were silenced or expelled from religious life, and the wider system of secrecy that enabled abuse. Pope Francis amended canon law in 2021 to allow prosecution of priests accused of abusing adults, but Rupnik’s case remains under church law rather than in criminal courts, raising questions about accountability. His case has still not been heard. Guardian review here
Project to safeguard ‘tabletop’ stone tombs
A Church of England-backed project has been launched to safeguard thousands of historic stone tombs in churchyards across the country. Known as “table top” tombs, they feature a flat slab supported by sides or upright legs and are often ornately carved. Many date from the 17th to 19th centuries, with more than 4,000 found in the Diocese of Gloucester alone, created from limestone in the area. The conservation scheme, supported by the Church of England’s Cathedral and Church Buildings team and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, will assess the condition of the tombs and contribute to new national guidance on their care. Eight other churchyards, including one in the Diocese of Oxford – St James the Great, Fulbrook – are taking part. As part of the project, conservation students are gaining practical experience in how to care for and preserve the tombs.
