Christian focused Religious Education in Northern Ireland judged unlawful
The UK Supreme Court has ruled that Northern Ireland’s Christian-focused religious education is unlawful, saying it is not taught in an “objective, critical and pluralistic manner” and therefore amounts to indoctrination. The case was brought by a girl and her father, who challenged the RE curriculum and collective worship after she sat down for a meal at home and said grace, which she had learned at school. The court found that withdrawing her from lessons would have stigmatised her and breached her human rights. Northern Ireland’s RE syllabus, written by the main Christian churches in 2007, centres on Christianity. The ruling leaves open what reforms will follow. An independent review has already urged a rethink, and a new Queen’s University project is testing opinion and exploring alternatives. It found that public opinion is divided, but most support teaching a range of worldviews. The court stressed it is not calling for RE to be removed from schools, but it prompted the National Secular Society to call for an end to collective worship. DUP leaders and a Protestant group vowed to continue standing up for the Christian ethcs of schools and the Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown, told the BBC he didn’t want it to be seen as a statement that religion should be banned from schools. Read our report here
Archbishop of York says Israel has committed ‘genocidal acts’
The Archbishop of York has said that Israel has committed “genocidal acts” in Gaza, and the situation in the occupied West Bank amounts to “apartheid” and “ethnic cleansing”. He made his comments in an interview with the Church Times and in an address to aid organisations. Francis Martin, Church Times reporter, quotes him saying: “It gives me no joy whatsoever to use these words” to describe the situation in the West Bank. He said: “What’s happening in the West Bank is not what happened in South Africa, but you’re left thinking: what other language do I use to describe such a two-tier system, where one group of people is so persistently and systematically denied their human rights and having to live a parallel life? What is happening is deliberate and systematic, persistent, and intentional, and its impact is devastating.” The report makes clear that Archbishop Cottrell described the actions of the Israeli military in Gaza as “genocidal acts”, and “deliberately indiscriminate acts” rather than using the single term genocide. He also said that the policies were of the Israeli state and not about the Jewish people. Church Times report is here
Bishop warns asylum reforms risk ‘deepening division’ in society
The Bishop of Chelmsford, Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, has expressed dismay at the government’s asylum seeker reforms, which will make radical changes including making refugee status temporary and reviewed every 30 months, and making new rules for appeals, housing and benefit payments. In a statement to the Church Times on Tuesday, Dr Francis-Dehqani said: “The proposals place even greater challenges in the way of good integration, to the detriment both of refugees and host communities”, warning that the proposals are in danger of further deepening division”.
Lord Khan: Islamophobia definition has taken ‘far too long’
Lord Wajid Khan, removed as the government’s faith minister two months ago, says government efforts to re-define Islamophobia had “taken far too long” and people are feeling frustrated. The group tasked with coming up with a definition was due to report back in September, but Lord Khan suggested the outcome would be known soon. In the summer reshuffle, he lost his ministerial job but said he bears no resentment. He is now “busier than ever”, committed to interfaith work and community cohesion. He also told the conference that Labour must not mimic Reform UK’s rhetoric on asylum seekers and said: “the flag should be reclaimed”, following the summer campaign to mount the flag of St George on lamposts across the country: “For me, that flag is everybody’s. We’re all British citizens who want to make sure our country is successful and strong”. Report by Maira Butt here
Muslim businesses in $2.4 trillion Halal economy at Excel Centre exhibition
The London Halal Forum 2025 opens today at Excel London, bringing together global businesses, policymakers and investors engaged in the US $2.4 trillion Halal economy. This describes businesses based on Islamic principles related to products, business ethics, investments, the environment and financial transactions. The two-day event, organised by the Islamic Chamber for Halal Services, will highlight food, finance, technology, travel, fashion and media businesses in the UK and international trade. There will be a major trade exhibition, keynote speakers, panel discussions, masterclasses and expert advisory appointments. The Forum aims to connect UK business with fast-growing Halal markets and will be livestreamed for global audiences. Details here
UK Pantry network reaches one millionth visit
The UK Pantry network, a community service that provides food and household essentials at low cost to people experiencing food insecurity, has reached its millionth visit. The network began in 2013 in Stockport and has spread to all four nations of the UK. It has 120 “shops”, coordinated by the charity Church Action on Poverty, supporting more than 149,000 people by providing products at low cost, made available in community spaces. Surveys suggest 71 per cent of people helped, say they have been able to reduce or stop their use of food banks. Ed Powell, partner and impact manager at Co-op, a long-standing partner of Your Local Pantry, said: “Pantries are a progressive step forward to help local people own their access to food, and the powerful membership model has cooperation at its heart. Pantries aren’t just about food – now, more than ever, they show the power of food to bring people from different backgrounds together in community.”
US Episcopal church observes transgender day of remembrance
US Episcopal churches are observing a Transgender Day of Remembrance today, holding special worship services and prayer vigils to remember transgender people targeted or murdered for their identity, and to raise awareness of violence against trans people. The Episcopal News Service reports that 281 trans people, including 31 in the United States, were murdered in the year to 1 October 2025, and most victims were Black or brown. It quotes the Rainbow Railroad charity saying there has been a record number of cases where people want to relocate, fearing lack of care and discrimination. ECUSA’s gender justice officer said it was important for Episcopalians to support trans and nonbinary people at church and wider society. A social media campaign starts today.
Sandford St Martin Awards open for entries
The Sandford St Martin 2026 Awards, for programmes exploring religion, belief, ethics or spirituality, are open now for entries. This time there are four categories: Journalism, Radio / Audio, Television / Video and Young Audience. The organisers say the awards celebrate broadcasting about belief and ethics: “We’re looking for powerful audio or video content which explores faith, identity and meaning and promotes a deeper understanding across communities, whether religious or not”. Entries must have been first publicly broadcast to a UK audience during 2025 and have been made by a UK or Republic of Ireland based broadcasting organisation. The deadline is 30 January 2026 and further details are here
