Ukraine news:
Russia bombs Red Cross building in Mariupol and demands the city surrenders before shelling can stop; UN says 4 million people have fled Ukraine – 28,300 applications have been made to enter the UK under the sponsorship scheme, 2,700 visas have been issued, while 200,000 people in the UK have offered accommodation
Muslim and Orthodox Ukrainian refugees find shelter in Romanian church
Nineteen Ukrainians, Muslims and Orthodox Christians, are sheltering as refugees in an Orthodox church day care centre in Romania. In a story in Vice News, Sophia Smith Galer reports that one was a wheat farmer who fled with his seven children, another is a grandmother from Odesa, there is a woman who worked in retail and another woman who was a soldier. The church has provided hot food, clothes and medical help with money from World Vision and the Romanian Orthodox Church, which has 4,300 volunteers helping the refugees.
Guide to Ramadan 2022 advises caution over Covid
The Muslim Council of Britain has launched a guide welcoming Ramadan 2022 which this year starts on 2 April, when Muslims observe a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, charity and community. This is the first festival following Covid lockdowns and the MCB warns people that with Covid infection rates rising, all should remain cautious and places should offer basic health safety provision. It says some measures introduced in Covid lockdowns will stay, such as virtual itfars, reduced travel outside the home and lectures provided online. See our fact sheet on Ramadan here
Teacher suspended over mug with image of the Prophet Mohammed
A teacher at Colchester grammar school has been suspended after holding a mug featuring an image of the Prophet Mohammed and a drawing of Jesus Christ. A statement from the school said it was looking into the matter which will be reviewed in line with its policies and procedures.
German football league addresses omnipresent problem of antisemitism in sport
Jewish community leaders in Germany have met more than 100 representatives of German professional football to consider how to combat antisemitism more effectively. The conference was the first time that a national-level football league has engaged on such a large scale with the Jewish community on this topic. The conference was told that antisemitism is an omnipresent problem in sport, yet it has a unique ability to promote diversity and unite different facets of German society.
Jewish students concerned at NUS president appointment
The Union of Jewish Students have raised concerns about the new president of the national Union of Students, Shaima Dallali, over past tweets in support of Jeremy Corbyn and other posts about Hamas. They urge her to ensure that NUS becomes a space that welcomes not excludes Jewish students. Shaima Dallali tweeted: “My hands are outstretched to all students and staff that work in our movement, including Jewish students … I stand ready to listen to the concerns of all students on how we can make our movement inclusive and open to all.”
Northern Ireland schools cannot discriminate on basis of religion
The Northern Ireland Assembly has passed a law removing the legal exception which allowed schools to discriminate against teachers based on religious belief or political opinion. The Fair Employment (School Teachers) Bill was widely supported and approved unanimously without a vote.
Finnish MP cleared of hate crime after tweeting homosexuality is shameful
A Finnish MP has been cleared of hate speech charges brought after she tweeted a verse from Romans saying homosexuality was shameful and then criticised a church for working with Pride. Päivi Räsänen faced up to six years in prison but the charges were dismissed as “it is not for the district court to interpret biblical concepts”.
New Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral
Andrew Tremlett, Dean of Durham, is moving to become Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral in London. His ministry has taken him to Torquay, Rotterdam, Portsmouth, Bristol and Westminster Abbey. He said an international outlook was essential and has a keen interest in interfaith dialogue. Church Times report here
Birth of spiritualism marked today
Today – 31 March – is Hydesville Day, the official day for the international recognition of Spiritualism. It was the date in 1848 when two sisters living in Hydesville, New York State, first experienced strange rappings, which were thought to be communications “from the other side”. Read our factsheet here
