British Muslim Network launched with government promise to “get this relationship right”
The British Muslim Network was launched last night to a packed audience in a London hotel. Co-founder Imam Qari Asim told the launch event that the Network was about three ‘Cs’, connecting Muslim individuals and organisations, celebrating the positive contributions they can make to wider society and encouraging collaboration within the Muslim population. The Network will talk to the government about issues affecting Muslim communities such as health, education, immigration, equalities and the economy. The other co-founder, Akeela Ahmed, said governments had failed to engage with British Muslim communities for 17 years, and Muslims had been marginalised and absent from national conversations, but challenges in society needed to be addressed.
Demonstrating this new era of engagement, Health Secretary Wes Streeting set the tone: “Speaking as a government minister on behalf of the Government, (it’s good) to talk about how important it is for the government to get this relationship right, to acknowledge with humility that successive governments have not got this relationship right”. He was committed to ensuring the space for Muslims across the country to participate and express their faith.
Several speakers spoke of the importance of defending Muslims against the rise of the far right across the world and increasing Islamophobia. Baroness Syeeda Warsi said courage was important: “We are not just talking about protecting British Muslims and creating a society where British Muslims feel like they have equal worth and value. But actually, we’re fighting to protect inclusive liberal democracies”. The faith minister, Lord Khan, said it was a government priority to tackle Islamophobia and It was “through dialogue, partnerships and shared action that we overcome division and build a more harmonious society”. And the Bishop of Bradford, Toby Howarth, said the country needs a strong, vibrant, confident Muslim community: “We need to be building one another up, not tearing one another down”.
The Religion Media Centre is holding a briefing at 1400 today,Wednesday 26 February, to discuss the new Network, what it seeks to achieve and how it will work. Guests include co-founder Imam Qari Asim. Get the zoom link from: [email protected]
Former archbishop and bishop among ten clergy facing likely disciplinary proceedings after Makin review
The former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey, the former Bishop of Durham Paul Butler and eight other clergy are to face possible disciplinary proceedings under the Clergy Discipline Measure, for their actions highlighted in the Makin review. This looked at how serial abuser John Smyth was able to continue for decades, because of a lack of action in the church, which it described as a cover up. The review prompted the resignation of Justin Welby and several clergy had their license to officiate as a minister, suspended. The National Safeguarding Team has decided to seek to bring disciplinary proceedings under the Clergy Discipline Measure against ten people named here. The statement said: “In respect of all those under the authority or oversight of the Church of England not listed here but criticised in the Makin Review, the process has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to meet the threshold for instituting disciplinary proceedings at this time”. Church Times story here
Christian Aid says cutting international aid is a ‘betrayal’
Christian Aid has issued a statement criticising the government for its decision to cut international aid in order to boost defence spending. Osai Ojigho, director of policy, public affairs and campaigns, said: “Marginalised communities are facing a dramatic poverty crisis. These cuts—a political decision echoing Trump’s race to the bottom on aid—are a betrayal that will erode trust & fan the flames of global insecurity. We must reject the false choice being spun between defence spending and fulfilling our responsibilities to people in crisis. Ministers can show global leadership by taxing wealthy polluters and compelling private creditors to cancel debts to countries in crisis, but will they?”
Pope is critical but stable, with slight improvement
The Vatican’s latest bulletin on Pope Francis’ condition says he remains critical but stable and has shown a slight improvement. There have been no acute respiratory episodes, and oxygen therapy continues but with slightly reduced flow and oxygen levels. Last evening, he underwent a scheduled CT scan to monitor his bout of double pneumonia. The bulletin said a mild renal insufficiency “appears to be under control” and overall, “the prognosis remains cautious”. In the morning, after receiving the Eucharist, he was able to work. The Pope has been in hospital since 14 February.
Pope’s Lent message of hope, written before he was taken to hospital
Pope Francis has issued his message for Lent, which was prepared before he went into hospital. He said the faithful should “journey together in hope“, picking up the theme of the Year of Jubilee, “Pilgrims of Hope”. He urged the faithful to reflect on the comparison between an individual’s struggles, and the plight of modern migrants and refugees forced to flee misery and violence in search of a better life. He said: “all of us are pilgrims in this life.”
The process of choosing a Pope
The Telegraph explains the process for electing a new Pope, suggesting that with Pope Francis continuing his hospital treatment “it is a task which the College of Cardinals may have to face sooner rather than later”. It says there are 252 cardinals in total, but only 138 are eligible to vote. Those over 80 are unable to cast their vote. Of the 138, 110 were appointed by Pope Francis, but they have diverging views, and the article scotches popular opinion that Francis has stacked out the college with his own supporters. The politics of the election are at least more familiar to people around the world after the film “Conclave” charted the intense process which takes place behind closed doors, with a decision signed by white smoke emerging from the Vatican. The Telegraph offers the following potential candidates with odds: Luis Antonio Tagle “the Asian Francis” 5/5; José Tolentino Calaça de Mendonça 4/5; Matteo Zuppi 3/5; Pietro Parolin 2/5; Mario Grech 2/5; Peter Turkson 2/5; Peter Erdo: 1/5; Robert Sarah 1/5. Telegraph article is here
Spyware attack on priest and migrant activist
An Italian priest close to the Pope, Father Mattia Ferrari, who is a chaplain on a migrant rescue ship, has revealed that he was a victim of a military-grade spyware attack. The Guardian reports that he was notified by Meta, the owner of Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and Threads, in February 2024, that he was the target of a “sophisticated attack supported by unidentified government entities”. This came a few months after a human rights activist who had met the Pope, was the victim of a similar attack, after he had met the Pope and discussed the fate of an asylum seeker’s family en route to Italy. Opposition leaders have renewed calls for the Prime Minister to address the issue in parliament.
‘Visions’ the musical staged in Lourdes and London
A musical called “Vision”, which tells the story of St Bernadette’s visions of Mary in the town of Lourdes, southwestern France, and the subsequent miracles in the waters, is to be staged in London theatres and at Lourdes this summer. It has been performed around the country since 2002, including at the Edinburgh Fringe. But this summer it will be put on at the Apostles Hall, Pimlico, in mid-July and at the Hotel Solitude in Lourdes at the end of that month. It describes in song and theatre, how a barman told local people about Bernadette’s visions and how the town transformed.
