British Muslims resist attacks in ‘patriotic’ flag frenzy
Motorway bridges, mosques and mini-roundabouts have been plastered with the St George’s Cross and Union Jack flags in recent days, sparking debate about patriotism. In some openly hostile demonstrations, the St George’s Cross has been daubed on to the walls of mosques. South Essex Islamic Centre in Basildon was sprayed with graffiti proclaiming “Christ is King” and “This is England” alongside a smeared red cross. In Liverpool, where a spate of incidents included homes spray-painted with malicious messages such as “Locals only” and “No Islam”, the St George’s cross waas daubed on several sites nearby. One Birkenhead mosque turned the attack around by hanging up their own flag on the window inside the mosque. Imam Ibrahim Syed said: “They intended to cause offence. We turned it on its head, because this is our flag too.” Maira Butt reports here
Jewish leader and Muslim deputy leader elected for the Green party
Zack Polanski, “proud to be Jewish” London Assembly member and eco populist, has been elected as the leader of the Green Party. He has said that he is not a Zionist and has spoken out against genocide in Gaza, and in favour of tackling inequality and wealth taxes, hinting at a possible future alliance with Jeremy Corbyn’s new party. The new co-deputy leader is Mothin Ali, a Muslim councillor in Leeds, who hit the headlines when he was elected, and later intervened to broker peace in 2024 Harehills riots in the city. He becomes the only Muslim serving as a leader or deputy leader of a mainstream political party in England and Wales. He has spoken of the need to tackle the far right targetting minority communities including Muslims, immigrants or LGBT people.
Carlo Acutis, millennial saint, to be canonised this Sunday
On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV will canonise Carlo Acutis at a ceremony at St Peter’s Basilica. The British-born teenager, who died aged 15, has been called the first millennial saint and God’s Influencer, for using social media to promote Christianity. Born in London to Italian parents, he died from leukaemia tragically young aged 15 in 2006, and lies in a tomb in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Assisi where he can be seen behind glass, wearing jeans and trainers. Two miracles of healing have been associated with him, his picture is in a stained glass window at the Church of St Aldhelm in Malmesbury and three churches in Wolverhampton belong to the Blessed Carlo Acutis parish. Catherine Pepinster’s explainer is here
Christian Climate Action calls for radical non-violent action to save the planet
Christian Climate Action has launched a document calling for radical change within the Church of England to protect creation in the face of climate breakdown. “Stop Crucifying Creation” calls on the church to start taking radical nonviolent action to protect life on earth, expose the vested interests that fuel the climate and nature crisis and return to its roots of prayer, confession and building loving community. The document will be launched on the National Day of Climate Prayer on Sunday 14 September. Church Times report here
Board of Deputies ‘deeply concerned’ at UK’s intention to recognise Palestine state
The Board of Deputies of British Jews has repeated that it is “deeply concerned” over UK plans to recognise a Palestinian state. It has released a statement following an address by David Lammy to the Commons on Monday, where he reminded MPs of the UK’s intention to recognise the State of Palestine later this month, “unless the Israeli Government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza and commits to a long-term sustainable peace”. In his speech, he described the “unimaginably bleak” situation in Gaza, saying: “I am outraged by the Israeli government’s refusal to allow sufficient aid”. The Board said recognising a Palestinian State risked “rewarding Hamas’s violence and intransigence rather than maximising pressure for the hostages’ release” and overlooked wider drivers of the conflict including the need for Palestinian Authority reform and the role of Iran and its proxies. The statement repeated the overwhelming community desire to see the hostages freed and for lasting peace and security in the region. It expressed “deep concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza” and the need for unrestricted aid to civilians.
Jewish News reports that David Lammy met families of hostages held captive in Gaza and countered criticism of the UK govenrment. It quotes him saying: “Our intention to recognise a State of Palestine is not about rewarding Hamas, which is a terrorist organisation. It’s about protecting the two-state solution’s viability at a critical moment. This is essential to Israel’s long-term security and regional position.”
Charity Commission inquiry into cheques for cash extends to 10 Jewish charities
The Charity Commission has extended its inquiry into charities issuing cheques in exchange for cash. Earlier this year, it launched a a statutory class inquiry and following an unannounced visit by HMRC to a company in Hackney, 105 charities were found to have cashed cheques to a value of £22 million between December 2021 and March 2023. The Commission has now extended this inquiry to include the following 10 charities: Ezer Viznitz Foundation, Satmar Nursery Trust, Lehachyos, Dover Sholem Community Trust, Friends of Yeshiva Daas Sholem Shotz, Vyoel Moshe Charitable Trust, The Z.S.V. Trust, United Talmudical Associates Ltd, Forty Limited and Bnois Jerusalem Schools. In a statement the Commission said: “The regulator will determine the facts around how these charities have transferred funds. It will also investigate how trustees had oversight of what happened to funds exchanged for the cheques, and if this cash has been used properly to support what the charities were set up to do”. The regulator has issued an immediate order to temporarily stop any of the charities under inquiry from issuing cheques without its prior consent. Full statement is here
