Fears that Hajj is turning into a ‘cyber pilgrimage’
It’s reported that Saudi Arabia is deploying advanced technology, including drones, AI, and robots, to enhance safety during the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, which takes place from today, 4 June, until Monday 9 June. Up to two million Muslims from over 180 countries are expected to participate. A report by the German media group Deutsche Welle, says drones with thermal imaging will monitor crowds, and robots will distribute religious guidance. There are fears of a risk to data privacy, vulnerability to cyberattacks, and the potential of transforming a deeply spiritual experience into a hyper-surveilled “cyber pilgrimage.” Story here
Inquiry into government’s failure to set up ethics watchdog
The Guardian reports that parliament’s public administration committee is launching an inquiry into why the government has failed to bring in a new ethics watchdog almost a year after the election. It says it was one of Labour’s manifesto pledges that the new government would “establish a new independent ethics and integrity commission, with its own independent chair, to ensure probity in government”. This was to ensure high standards and enforce restrictions on lobbying. Simon Hoare, a former Conservative minister, said: “Significant commitments have been made to overhaul the ethics regime, but we are yet to see much evidence of progress from the Cabinet Office. An upstanding government and good ministers should not fear but welcome a strong, rigorous and independent ethics and propriety regime. This inquiry will allow us to push the government on its commitments, ensuring changes are properly stress-tested and scrutinised by parliament.” Guardian story here
Church Multiplication Centre downsizing due to lack of funds
The Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication (CCX) is downsizing due to a funding shortfall, with a number of staff redundancies. Its chair, retired bishop Pete Broadbent, told the Church Times that overseas funding partners have re-directed funds to their own countries. CCX was founded in 2015 by the Bishop of Islington, Dr Ric Thorpe, who has just been appointed as Archbishop of Melbourne Australia. It was part of an initiative to create 10,000 new lay-led worshipping communities by 2030. Church Times article here
Pope Leo’s video message to young people in his home city
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to deliver a video message specifically aimed at young people during a mass at Chicago’s Rate Field stadium on 14 June. Organized by the Chicago Archdiocese, the event seeks to engage younger generations in the Catholic faith, addressing challenges such as inclusivity and balancing traditional doctrine with modern expectations. Chicago holds personal significance for Pope Leo, as he was born on the city’s South Side and raised in nearby Dolton.
Rap trio ‘Kneecap’ will perform at Glastonbury despite Jewish fears
The Glastonbury Festival has confirmed that Irish rap trio Kneecap will remain on its 2025 lineup, despite controversy and calls for their removal. One band member, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, is currently facing a terror charge relating to an incident in November 2024, during which he allegedly displayed a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London and shouted: “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”. The Board of Deputies and other communal organisations have urged Glastonbury to cancel the group’s performance, citing concerns for public safety and the Jewish community. Glastonbury is 25-29 June. Ó hAnnaidh is due in court on 18 June. The band said they never intended to cause harm, and the footage has been taken out of context and was being exploited to discredit them.
Muslim children disproportionately affected by two child benefit cap
Hyphen Online reports data analysis showing 155,000 more Muslim children are affected by the two-child benefit cap than was previously thought. Hyphen commissioned the Office for National Statistics to crunch data about the policy’s impact on different faith groups and found that 744,863 Muslim children were living in families with three or more dependent children at the time of the 2021 census, representing 55 per cent of Muslim children, a higher proportion than all other religious groups. Story here
Halal committee opposes petition on non-stunned slaughter
The Halal Monitoring Committee is raising concerns at a petition with 109,000 signatures, due to come before the Commons on Monday next week, calling for a ban on non-stunned slaughter in the UK. Current UK law requires all animals to be stunned before slaughter; however, the law provides an exemption for the Muslim and Jewish community to slaughter without stunning. The Committee says all non-stunned Halal slaughter in the UK and EU is carried out humanely, ensuring the highest level of care and dignity for the animals at every stage. It is urging supporters to contact their MP and clarify misinformation which “demonises Muslims”.
Investigative reporter sent to examine village church argument
The Telegraph sent a reporter to investigate the acrimonious dispute at St Oswald’s church, Malpas, a village in Cheshire. Her findings include allegations around access to the bell tower and the singing of the Agnus Dei. Report is here >>
