Today, children, assembly will by taken by . . . the Archbishop
By Lianne Kolirin Schoolchildren stuck at home during lockdown will be invited to join a special assembly on Thursday held by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Most Rev Justin Welby will livestream a message of hope during the inaugural assembly for the Oak National Academy, an online “school” that launched last week as a resource […]
Analysis: Empty churches are the least of our losses
By Andrew Brown Not since 1205 have the church buildings of England all been closed. Even then, there was no ban on Christians gathering together. Yet it is now illegal for Christians to come together for worship, or even to enter churches, unless they actually live in the same building, as many Roman Catholic and […]
Coronavirus and Religion update – 24 April
By Tim Wyatt Religious Right chant: God is bigger than Covid-19 A growing movement in the United States is demanding a swifter lifting of the country’s coronavirus lockdown so that people can start going back to church services. Although each state has slightly different restrictions, the vast majority of churches have been shuttered since stay […]
Coronavirus and Religion update – 23 April
By Tim Wyatt Ramadan under lockdown As the first day of the holy Islamic month of fasting begins, debate has surged about how to adapt the tradition to the current coronavirus crisis. Some observers have suggested taking it easier than usual, with the elderly and ill choosing not to fast for fear of imposing an […]
Coronavirus and Religion update – 22 April
By Andrew Brown, 22 April 2020 A Ramadan like none before Ramadan starts either today or tomorrow, depending on the phases of the moon, but this year’s Muslim season of fast and feasting will be unprecedented. The fasting will proceed as usual, but there will be no iftar communal meals at sundown, as has always […]
Anxious and isolated: insights from religion on how to cope
By Tim Maby Social isolation is a new and often disconcerting experience during the coronavirus pandemic. But in religious traditions, solitude, isolation and silence are chosen ways of life. In a video-conference briefing organised the Religion Media Centre, faith leaders, academics and counsellors shared insights into the lessons religion can offer on how to best […]
The Big Story: will the Jewish Chronicle survive?
By Lianne Kolirin The future of Britain’s Jewish press hangs in the balance after rival rescue packages have spiralled into divisions and confusion. Staff at both the Jewish Chronicle and the Jewish News were told on 8 April, just hours before Passover, that the newspapers were going into liquidation and that they could lose their […]
Coronavirus and Religion update – 21 April
By Lianne Kolirin UK The Muslim Council of Britain has issued guidance on observing Ramadan under lockdown. The largest umbrella group of Muslims in the UK says Ramadan, which begins this week “will be a very different experience for Muslims all over the world during the COVID19 lockdown in accordance with public health advice”. During […]
Ramadan in the age of Coronavirus
By Aina Khan For over 1400 years, Muslims have observed Ramadan, a holy month in the Islamic calendar in which Muslims cannot eat and drink from dawn till dusk. Within the five pillars of Islam, Ramadan is the fourth pillar, the month in which the Quran was revealed. Instead of following the Gregorian solar calendar, […]
Coronavirus and Religion update – 20 April
By Lianne Kolirin UK Startling images of the UK coronavirus death toll have emerged from inside a makeshift morgue at a Birmingham mosque. Images published on the MailOnline show coffins stacked inside the mortuary built on the car park of Central Jamia Mosque Ghamkol Sharif in the city’s Small Heath district. Last week mosque trustee and […]
