Call for Olympics boycott in protest at Islamophobia
Cage International, a London based organisation set up “to end the unjust discrimination” stemming from the war against terror, has called for a boycott of the Paris Olympics, claiming it has evidence of widespread Islamophobia and discrimination. It has released a report, The Games of Shame: Can the 2024 Paris Olympics whitewash genocide and widespread exclusion?, which calls for an international boycott in solidarity with “oppressed French Muslims and Palestinians”. France has forbidden its athletes from wearing the hijab during the games. Cage says the French legislation creates “an inhospitable environment for visibly Muslim athletes, particularly women who wear the hijab”, in direct contradiction of the Olympic ideals of empowering women and promoting inclusivity. Its managing director Muhammad Rabbani was detained in Paris for almost 24 hours earlier this month and sent back to London, after the French government accused him of spreading conspiracy theories about Islamophobic persecution.
Muslim Vote reveals hate campaign
A Muslim campaign group has revealed the extent of racist and Islamophobic abuse it received in the UK general election campaign. Messages seen by The Independent, include serious threats such as “burning down” mosques and correspondence calling staff “vile terrorist scum”. Abubakr Nanabawa, co-ordinator of the Muslim Vote, said team members began receiving an influx of abusive emails in February, accusing them of trying to undermine democracy and being unappreciative of British values. “Since then, it’s been a steady stream of violent and threatening messages,” he added. Report in The Independent here
Preacher Anjem Choudary faces life sentence
The Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary, 57, is facing life in jail after he was convicted of directing a terrorist organisation. In 2016 he was jailed for 5½ years for inviting support for the jihadist group Isis, but was released early in October 2018. His licence conditions prevented him from using the internet until July 2021. Within days of the conditions expiring, he began pushing out press releases on WhatsApp and Telegram from his home in Ilford, east London, and grooming recruits as young as 14. He was convicted at Woolwich Crown Court after an unprecedented joint investigation by MI5, Scotland Yard, the New York Police Department and Canadian police. Report in The Times here
CofE appoints Biblical scholar on migration as the bishops’ theological adviser
A theologian who specialises in Biblical ideas on migration, has been appointed to the post of secretary for theology and theological adviser to the House of Bishops. The Rev Dr Casey Strine, senior lecturer in ancient near eastern history and literature, at the University of Sheffield, takes up the role in September. He follows Dr Tom Woolford, on the council of Church Society, and Dr Jessica Martin, newly appointed Dean of Chelmsford, who have covered the role on a temporary basis since April 2024. A significant part of his role is to offer theological support to the Living in Love and Faith programme on how the church remains united despite differences over same sex relationships. Dr Strine is known for his work on migration, saying that animosity toward migrants is “nearly impossible to support from the Bible”, which is “a collection of texts largely written by migrants to other migrants, very often to explore the experience of migration”.
Bishop of London says inequality must be tackled with help from faith groups
The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, who has served as England’s chief nursing officer, has cautiously welcomed the new government’s first healthcare announcement, but says more should be done for social and palliative care. She told the Lords that tackling inequality could not be achieved without the involvement of faith groups, which are in touch with communities in deprived areas. Welcoming the planned clampdown on smoking and vaping and the restriction on junk-food advertising to children, she said that obesity is one of the major health challenges for Britain and its impacts were “hugely unequal”. She told the House of Lords that many healthcare issues were rooted in inequality and ensuring adequate services to all who require them was vital to halve the gap in healthy life expectancy. Church Times report here
How Christian commentators see Biden withdrawal
Four prominent US Christian commentators expressed caution, anxiety, support and praise in response to President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race. Michael Wear, an evangelical activist and member of the Obama administration urged Democrats to be cautious in assessing their reaction to the news and consider what they want to happen next, before making public statements. Albert Mohler Jr, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, told his podcast audience that the announcement that Kamala Harris would be standing for election represented “a vast leap to the left, in terms of political ideology”. The Rev William J. Barber, a progressive activist and leader of the Poor People’s Campaign, voiced strong support for Harris, and said she was Biden’s natural successor. Finally, David French, a New York Times columnist — and long-time critic of Donald Trump — said Biden’s decision was an example of “selfless leadership”. He added: “Now’s the time to find the candidate who can end Trump’s political career”. Christian Today report here
Hindu priests say god of righteousness is on Kamala’s side
The god of truth and righteousness is on the side of the Democratic Party in the US presidential election, according to Hindu priests in the ancestral Indian village of deputy president Kamala Harris. Community prayers began in Thulasendrapuram, a village in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, once home to Harris’s maternal grandfather, the day after President Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race, paving the way for Harris. Head priest M. Natrajan paid obeisance with offerings of sweets and rice pudding to the Hindu god Dharmasastha and said: “With the blessing of our all-powerful deity, we are confident she will now become president too.” AFP report here
Lord Mann reappointed antisemitism adviser
Lord Mann has been reappointed as the government’s independent adviser on antisemitism, Jewish News reports. Mann is a former Labour MP and his five-year term in the post was due to expire this month. He had clashed with several former Tory ministers, including ex-home secretary Suella Braverman. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said: “We are clear that antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of religious and racial hatred have absolutely no place in our society. We will be exploring a more integrated and cohesive approach to tackling it.”
Israel ‘backing’ illegal West Bank settlers
The Israeli government has set aside millions of dollars to protect small, unauthorised Jewish farms in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, according to the anti-settlement monitoring group Peace Now. Documents illustrate how Israel has quietly poured money into the unauthorised outposts, which are separate from its more than 100 officially recognised settlements. Some of those outposts have been linked to settler violence against Palestinians and are sanctioned by the United States. Funds have allegedly been used for vehicles, drones, cameras, generators, electric gates, fences and new roads that reach some of the more remote farms. AP report here
Act quickly on poverty says Catholic society
The St Vincent de Paul Society of England and Wales has called on the new government to act quickly to tackle rising rates of poverty in the UK. The Catholic charity, which provides food and clothing banks, low-cost shopping and the setting up of support groups for people in need, quotes the experience of the Catholic-run St Vincent’s Centre in Newcastle which provided 897 hot meals, 140 food parcels and other practical support during June. In all, 3,535 adults and children received help, but the centre’s deputy manager Amanda Haddon admitted it was struggling to keep up with demand. Catholic Herald report here
