Mayor of London does not feel safe as a Muslim politician
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has said the riots across England this week had made him feel not safe as an openly Muslim politician: “Clearly I’m not safe, which is why I’ve got police protection.” Speaking to the press on a visit to Chelsea FC’s programme on anti-racism, he said there was a renewed need for vigilance. He criticised Conservative ministers for using language that plays on people’s fears in response to disorder across the country. He had grown up in the 1970s and 80s facing the far right BNP and National Front and he said that he had felt triggered by the riots and was heartbroken for his children: “It’s difficult to explain the ripples when you’ve been targeted because of your religion or colour of your skin and you can’t change either of those things. And whether you’re seeing physical acts of violence taking place in the North-West or the North-East, you feel it in London. What’s heartbreaking to me is my children’s generation had never experienced what I had. And they, for the first time, were scared. I thought I’d be the last generation to be scared, simply for who I am. And it breaks my heart.”
Imam issues warning to young Muslims protecting mosques
Imam Qari Asim, chair of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board, is warning that in the wake of the riots, some young Muslims want to protect their mosque and community “sometimes in a way that doesn’t reflect our proud Islamic tradition of living lawfully and peacefully while promoting tolerance. It’s the job of the police and other authorities to protect individuals and Mosques, and we should support their service”. He says the violence was not an isolated event but the compounding of issues over the years, including misinformation, the demonisation of Muslims and migrant communities, austerity and lack of investment in social cohesion programmes. Imam Qari the last Muslim to have a formal working relationship with the Conservative government and was sacked in 2022 over the Our Lady of Heaven film. He is calling for the relationship between the government and the Muslim community to be restored, and funding for interfaith initiatives and youth programmes to be increased, in response to the outbreak of riots. His comments are published by the Forum for Peace UK, of which he is a trustee. The forum was founded seven years ago in Abu Dhabi by Shaykh Abdallah Bin Bayyah, to strengthen Islamic theological narratives of peace building and tolerance. Tye UK charity is now “being incubated” within the Good Faith Partnership
Irish bishops tell protesters to stop riots, as Stormont is recalled
Two Church of Ireland bishops have appealed to anyone else thinking of rioting to stop, after five days of violent disturbances where buildings have been ransacked and set on fire, and rocks have been thrown at police and through windows of homes, terrorising families. In a statement, the Bishop of Connor, George Davison, and the Bishop of Down and Dromore, David McClay, say it has been distressing to witness scenes of intimidation and violence, as people have been left without businesses and jobs, and feeling afraid. The violence was so serious that Stormont has been recalled amid police statements that the riots involve a paramilitary element. The bishops also had a stern warning to those who say they are taking action in the name of Christianity: “As Christian leaders, it is even more upsetting to hear some of those involved in these protests say that they do so out of a sense of seeking to defend our Christian society and way of life. We unequivocally reject that claim. Intimidation, threats and actions which create fear have no part in the gospel of Jesus Christ or of those who claim to be his disciples”.
Charity Commission advises charities to keep emergency plans in order
The Charity Commission has offered guidance and advice to charities under pressure from the wave of riots this week. It praises charities for continuing their work to bring communities together despite being targeted with mindless vandalism against particularly mosques and other places of worship. Some are also facing challenges to keep their beneficiaries, staff, volunteers and premises safe. The Commission advises charities to ensure they have an emergency plan in place, to protect staff, minimise damage, report incidents to the relevant agencies and communicate the issues. Their plan should ensure they know how to escape from a building under threat and that they have shared information with police and made use of greater protection offered by the Home Office.
OTHER NEWS
RMC lecture: “Faith’s place in Labour’s mission of national renewal.”
This year’s Religion Media Centre’s annual lecture is given by Sir Stephen Timms, MP, on “Faith’s place in Labour’s mission of national renewal.” It is to be held at St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street, on Thursday 19 September at 6.30pm. Known for his Christian faith, Sir Stephen has been actively engaged in discussing the role of faith in public life. He was recently chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Faith and Society, which considered how to progress the vital role religious groups played during the Covid lockdowns, providing essential food, offering space for vaccination centres and giving wider mental health and social support. Local authorities recognised that faith organisations can reach deep into society through long established networks and communities. This continuing partnership offering front line support is often codified through a “Faith Covenant” outlining obligations and expectations on both sides. During the election campaign, Sir Keir Starmer wrote to faith leaders, thanking them for their service and pledging that “a mission-led Labour government would ensure strong partnerships with faith communities”, harnessing their energy and creativity to renew the country. We look forward to hearing Sir Stephen outline the steps that will take forward this vision. Book your ticket here
UK antisemitic incidents rise to highest ever level in first half of 2024
The Community Security Trust has found there were 1,978 instances of anti-Jewish hate recorded across the UK in the first six months of this year. This is the highest January-to-June total ever reported to CST, up from 964 incidents in the first half of 2023, representing a rise of 105 per cent. The CST says the number reflects the ongoing war in the Middle East with Israel, Palestine and the Hamas 7 October attack evident in 52 per cent of the total. Instances of antisemitism affecting schools, schoolchildren and staff rose by 119 per cent from 74 in 2023 to 162 this year; and incidents in higher education rose 465 per cent year on year from 17 to 96. Jewish News quotes the Home secretary Yvette Cooper saying that the soaring levels of antisemitic hate outlined in this report are truly appalling: “There is no place in Britain for this vile hatred and we are absolutely clear that those who push this poison must always face the full force of the law”.
Hundreds of Hindus reported to be trying to flee Bangladesh
Reuters reports that hundreds of Bangladeshi Hindus have tried unsuccessfully to flee to India this week after many of their homes and businesses were vandalised following the overthrow of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hindus make up eight per cent of the total population and the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council said that Hindu homes and temples had been targeted in 45 out of 64 districts. The Reuters report says Hindus have traditionally largely supported Hasina’s Awami League party, which identifies as largely secular, instead of the opposition bloc that includes a hardline Islamist party. Hasin has fled to India and the new Prime Minister, Muhammad Yunus, aged 84, took on the role yesterday.
Anti bullfighting activists demonstrate at Pope’s general audience
The Associated Press reports that two activists from the animal rights group PETA interrupted Pope Francis’ general audience, shouting and holding up banners against bullfighting before being escorted out of the hall. They were wearing t-shirts with the slogan “Stop blessing corridas” and holding banners saying “Bullfighting is a sin.” PETA has been pleading with the Pope to cut the Catholic church’s ties with bullfighting, saying tens of thousands of bulls are killed each year in festivals dedicated to Catholic saints. They describe the method which causes pain, when lances are thrust into the animals side, calling this “a sick form of entertainment.”
