Islamophobia definition will protect right to criticise religion
The government’s Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Definition Working Group has published terms of reference which say: “Any proposed definition must be compatible with the unchanging right of British citizens to exercise freedom of speech and expression – which includes the right to criticise, express dislike of, or insult religions and/or the beliefs and practices of adherents”. The definition will acknowledge that protection will be given to communities perceived to be Muslim. The document says “Too many British Muslims have faced discrimination and hatred due to their religion. We recognise that anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia can also impact communities that are perceived to be Muslim. There are often cultural markers which are adopted by wider faith communities like Sikh, Hindu, Jain and Buddhists which are used to attack communities that are mistakenly identified as Muslim. This is also true of people of no faith”. The group will have six months to deliver recommendations for ministers to consider. Its members are: Chair – Dominic Grieve KC; Professor Javed Khan OBE, Managing Director of EQUI; Baroness Shaista Gohir OBE, CEO of Muslim Women’s Network UK; Akeela Ahmed MBE, Co-Chair of British Muslim Network; Asha Affi, Independent Consultant.
Faith leaders unite in call against child poverty
Thirty-five faith leaders from all major faith traditions in the UK, have signed an open letter to the government, calling for it to be bold and ambitious in its forthcoming child poverty strategy.They warn that without action, an additional 400,000 children will be added to the 4.3 million children already living in poverty. The letter says that faith communities are providing help for example in debt centres, food banks, food pantries and warm hubs and the government should demonstrate that it matches this commitment. They recognise the pressures on public spending, but say “we share a belief that working to end poverty should be a hallmark of any decent, compassionate society” and they hope the child poverty strategy will be a turning point for communities. The letter is addressed to the co-chairs of the strategy group, Bridget Philipson and Liz Kendall. Its signatories include the Bishop of Leicester Martyn Snow, CofE lead bishop on welfare; the Catholic bishop of Salford, John Arnold and leaders of many Christian denominations and faith groups. Letter is here
Ramadan 2025 in Britain – community meals and eco-friendly festival
Ramadan in Britain continues to emphasise community engagement with a renewed commitment to an eco-friendly festival, and obligations to steward the earth’s resources. Maira Butt reports on how the significance of the sun and the moon in determining the start and end dates, and the times of fasting, brings a new understanding of dependence on nature, and the rhythm of life. It has led to the publication of an extensive resource to encourage Muslims to be mindful of the sources of food, to limit food wastage, encourage greater resourcefulness with the use of water as well as highlighting the role of Zakat (the obligation to give charity incumbent on all Muslims) to those affected by climate change. Alongside this, the traditional elements of Ramadan with a feast to break the fast at the end of each day continue to be organised by communities around the country, with mosques offering daily meals and many organising interfaith iftars. Her report is here
World Council of Churches urges global legal action to stop climate change
The World Council of Churches has produced a climate justice handbook, with advice on how to take legal action against states and businesses on their actions which contribute to climate change. It says advocacy alone has been insufficient and “CO2 emissions have continued to rise, driven mainly by the relentless expansion of fossil fuel industries”. In a statement it says that litigation can change corporate and state behaviour, targeting organisations that fund and invest in fossil fuels, including public and commercial banks, pension funds and credit agencies: “This situation compels us to recognise that there is no contradiction between utilising legal frameworks and embodying Christian values. In fact, our faith calls us to speak truth to power and to seize every available legal measure to protect our planet and its inhabitants.”
Court case in Japan to decide Unification Church future
The Tokyo District Court has told the Unification Church to appear in court today (Tuesday) to hear judgment on an order to dissolve the religious group. The case follows the fatal shooting of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July 2022, by a man who believed Abe had links with the church. The man, who was charged but his trial has not yet begun, held a grudge against the church after his mother gave large donations to it. The government held an investigation and concluded that the Unification Church’s followers had repeatedly solicited donations by pressuring individuals, and this contravened the law. The Unification Church insists that the evidence is fabricated. A leading Buddhist monk in Japan has expressed alarm at the case, saying it is difficult to judge the difference between an unlawful large donation and a legitimate contribution, and other religious sects may face similar charges and be unable to defend themselves.
Cardinal warns there is no respect for humanitarian law
The Cardinal Secretary of State at the Vatican, Pietro Parolin, has expressed concern about the “systematic violation of international law”, especially the bombing of civilians and the killing of aid workers, particularly the recent violence in the Gaza Strip, which Pope Francis has condemned. He said the Vatican had spoken to the Red Cross about the renewed violence: “These are all actions that go precisely against humanitarian law, and today there is no respect for humanitarian law”, he said. The Cardinal was speaking to journalists attending an event at the Vatican, and he relayed that the Pope’s appeal “is a call to stop, to find ways of dialogue and peace”. The Cardinal said Pope Francis, who has been ordered to rest for two months, will continue to work on the most important issues but needs time to recover.
Jesuit Refugee Service says plans to send refugees to Balkans must be abandoned
The Jesuit Refugee Service is calling on the government to abandon plans to remove refugees to “return hubs” in southeast Europe. It says the proposal will be “deeply harmful” to people seeking sanctuary here. It says the asylum system is hostile and broken, and people who have exhausted options and been refused asylum are eventually recognised as having had a need for sanctuary. It says “the government must abandon these cruel plans and instead focus on fixing the system, so we offer protection to those who need it.”
Two bishops appointed advocates for racial justice in the Church of England
The Bishop of Kirkstall, Arun Arora, and the Bishop of Croydon, Rosemarie Mallett, have been appointed as joint lead bishops for the Church of England on racial justice. They will be advocates on racial justice throughout the Church of England, including promoting implementation of the recommendations of From Lament to Action, the report from the Church of England’s Anti-Racism Taskforce. They will chair the new Racial Justice Board, a committee of the Archbishops’ Council, and attend the Racial Justice Panel, an external independent scrutiny body. The new arrangements are recommendations from the Archbishops’ Commission on Racial Justice.
Work begins on third Mormon temple in England
The first steps in the construction of a new temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) in England, took place last weekend in a groundbreaking ceremony at Sutton Coldfield. The temple will be constructed on the 2.7 acre site of an existing meetinghouse, with an imposing steeple and floor space of 10,800 square feet, able to host weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies. It is the third temple in England, joining others in East Grinstead, Surrey, and in Preston, which help serve 180,000 members. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints says the temple will be a beacon of hope in the area and the weekend’s ceremony was attended by civic dignitaries who are said to believe it a significant addition to Sutton Coldfield.
