How faith groups can work with the new government – Day One
In the week when the country has a new Prime Minister, Faith Action, a multi faith network of front-line faith organisations, is running the Faith in Partnership week, with the launch of three reports on how faith groups can partner with government and local authorities. Faith Action is also the secretariat or the All Party Parliamentary Group on Faith in Society, which has developed the Faith Covenant, outlining a set of principles for working with local authorities. Tomorrow (Wednesday) the APPG is holding a meeting to launch another report, Keeping the Faith, outlining the future partnership between faith groups and the government after Covid, when they worked closely together.
Faith Action’s national executive director, Daniel Singleton, will be discussing these initiatives and his hopes for new partnerships with Liz Truss’s government, in a Religion Media Centre zoom briefing today (Tuesday 6th September) at 1200. Details from [email protected]
Liz Truss should improve relations with Muslims
The secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain, Zara Mohammed, said she hoped the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, would make good on her ‘zero-tolerance’ approach to Islamophobia, by addressing it both within the Conservative Party and wider society, and take definitive steps to improve government engagement with Muslim communities. She warned that divisive rhetoric could be particularly potent as Britain faces the cost of living crisis.
Christian Aid says urgent help needed for famine in east Africa
The chief executive of Christian Aid, Patrick Watt, said the new Prime Minister “must tackle the climate crisis, a major factor in Pakistan’s floods, by supporting a just transition to net zero and urgently help the millions of people on the brink of famine in east Africa with a swift reversal of cuts to international aid.”
Leaders of British Jews look forward to close working relationship
The Board of Deputies of British Jews congratulated Liz Truss and looked forward to continuing a strong relationship with the government. The Jewish Leadership Council said they would work closely with her to address the issues and concerns affecting the Jewish community.
Archbishop emphasises priority of care for the vulnerable
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, tweeted that he was praying for Liz Truss “as she takes on the great responsibilities of leadership at a time of such significant challenges”, singling out in particular, care for those who are vulnerable.
Liz Truss’ local bishop offers advice on values
Liz Truss is MP for South West Norfolk and the Bishop of Norfolk, Graham Usher, took to Twitter with timely advice: “As Norfolk MP @trussliz prepares for huge responsibility, I hope & pray that she will be a Prime Minister who leads with much “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” Individual lives & nations flourish more with these values.
Cardinal Nichols says attend to elderly, children and poor
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, leader of the Catholic church in England and Wales, said the needs of the poorest in society must be given urgent attention. The focus should be on the elderly, children and those unable to absorb the rise in the cost of living. Attention should be paid to the level of welfare benefits and universal credit. He added that businesses face acute challenges and will need help to survive.
Methodists reminded to encourage church for people at economic margins
Methodists were reminded and encouraged yesterday to be the church at the economic margins, where people who experience hardship are affirmed and valued. Deacon Eunice Attwood who leads on this work, says her recent travels have shown growing concern about fuel costs and fears of what the future may bring. Examples include the Freedom Project offering debt counselling and work skills in 14 centres across the north east Midlands and Yorkshire, and Selby Street mission providing friendship, meals, food and clothes banks alongside worship and Bible study classes.
Other news:
Street preachers crack down in Leeds after homophobia complaints
The Yorkshire Post reports that Leeds city council is to impose a strict code of conduct on street preachers after reports of homophobia. The journalists say they have seen the code which says preachers in Leeds city centre have been “the source of numerous complaints over the past few years after using homophobic language”. It reports that the council and West Yorkshire Police “have told preachers their right to freedom of expression under the European Convention Human Rights (ECHR) Article 10 is “qualified” when it comes to reducing crime. The code reads preachers must: “Refrain from using homophobic language or any other hate speech. It is an offence under the Public Order Act 1986 to use threatening, abusive or insulting words with the intention of causing a person to feel harassment, alarm or distress”.
Faith leaders’ emergency meeting to discuss violence in Leicester
The Leicester Mercury reports that an emergency meeting between Hindu and Muslim leaders will be held today (Tuesday) after violence followed a Pakistan v India cricket match a week ago. The report says large groups of people were involved in an affray including racist chanting and there have been further reports of violence since. Suleman Nagdi, spokesman for the Federation of Muslim Organisations, is quoted saying the development was worrying as Leicester is used to good relations between faiths.
Clacton seafront the venue for annual Hindu festival
More than 500 people took part in a Hindu festival on Clacton seafront at the weekend. The Clacton Gazette reported that the Ganesha Visarjan festival, celebrating the birth of the elephant god Ganesh, involved colourful processions and celebrations including immersing a statue of Ganesh into the sea. The annual event marked the end of ten days of prayer and ceremonies and was organised by the Shree Karpaga Vinayagar Temple in London.
