Daily media briefing
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Wed, 17 Apr 2024
Muslim pupil at leading London school loses challenge against ban on prayer rituals – NSS quoted
"Schools should be environments where everyone feels welcomed and valued, but that doesn't mean students have untrammelled religious freedom", said NSS chief executive Stephen Evans.
Daily Mail
Regulators assessing concerns over charities referring to ‘black magic’ and ‘witchcraft’ – NSS quoted
"No charity, religious or otherwise, should be allowed to promote ideology which fuels spiritual abuse", said NSS campaigns officer Alejandro Sanchez.
Civil Society
Scottish church leaders rally against assisted dying legislation
Rev Andrew Downie of the United Free Church of Scotland and Rev Bob Akroyd of the Free Church of Scotland have called on MSPs to oppose Liam McArthur's Bill on assisted dying.
Premier Christian News
‘#BringBackOurGirls fought to keep global attention on Nigeria’s stolen Chibok girls. Ten years on it is still fighting’
"Some have gone on to get their master's and others are working on PhDs. Other girls are now studying in Nigeria. This, for me, is perhaps the biggest achievement of the #BBOG movement. They have scuttled Boko Haram's core task, which is to deny girls education", writes Helon Habila.
The Guardian
Tue, 16 Apr 2024
‘Our son didn’t get into his first choice primary school – because we missed church’
"I explained that I missed attending church one month due to my mother's death but there was no compassion or understanding", says Sarah Atta.
iNews
Ruling due in Muslim student’s High Court challenge against ‘prayer ban’
A high-achieving north London school is set to discover whether a Muslim student has won a challenge against its ban on "prayer rituals".
The Standard
Iran-backed groups ‘tried to intimidate Charity Commission’
Watchdog was branded Islamophobic and targeted by activists including figures at Press TV, a state-funded channel that back Iran's attack on Israel.
The Times*
Man accused of knifing pensioner called Christian convert housemates 'devils’, court hears
The jury has heard how Mr Nouri and Alid had previously fallen out about religion.
Teesside Live
Sydney church stabbing was a 'terrorist' attack, police say
Investigations are still under way, but they say they are satisfied this is a case of religious extremism.
BBC
Italian schools will no longer shut for Eid
The new rules on school closures were announced by the education minister following the closure of a school near Milan on Eid al-Fitr.
The Times*
Argentina court blames Iran for deadly 1994 bombing of Jewish centre
The judges ruled that the bombing was carried out by the Shia militant organization Hezbollah and responded to a "political and strategic design" by Iran.
The Guardian
Mon, 15 Apr 2024
Iran centre blamed for stoking Islamic protests at British schools
Iran has been blamed for stoking protests outside British schools as a new report reveals its widespread and increasing attempts to impose de facto blasphemy laws in the UK.
The Times*
Sun, 14 Apr 2024
Philip North’s nomination to Blackburn was legitimate, reviewer concludes
Campaigners had raised concerns about Bishop North's views on the ordination of women.
Church Times*
Allowing silent prayer in buffer zones still under consideration
The Government is expected to announce whether provisions under the new Public Order Act will allow for silent prayer following consultations on the proposals.
Premier Christian News
British Muslim clerics praise 'beautiful' Taliban
The all-male delegation spent eight days touring Afghanistan and meeting with Taliban leaders and making statements on Afghan TV extolling their virtues.
Daily Mail
Scientists claim shechita makes no difference to blood loss in slaughtered animals
Scientists claim tests on halal and kosher meat have found no significant difference in blood loss when animals are killed after being stunned.
The Jewish Chronicle
Poland: Lawmakers send forward bill to ease abortion law
The anti-abortion law has strong support of the Catholic Church, which retains a powerful influence in the country.
Deutsche Welle
EU bishops oppose abortion ahead of crucial vote
EU bishops have voiced their opposition to recognising abortion rights within the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights as a decisive vote approaches.
Premier Christian News
Two stabbed in Bordeaux for drinking wine during Eid
Attacker shot dead by police after frenzied attack in tourist area.
The Times*
Vatican complains after French court rules in favour of nun dismissed from religious order
The case is highly unusual, because it represented a secular civilian court essentially determining that the Vatican's in-house canonical procedures grossly violated the nun's fundamental rights.
ABC News
China: What Ramadan is like in Xinjiang
Several times ordinary Uyghurs signalled that this has been a distressing Ramadan, during which it was risky to be caught fasting.
The Economist*
Himalayan state is a testing ground for Modi’s nationalism
Hindu priests made explicit threats against Muslims in the state, calling to "kill 2 million" of them, and stating Hindus should be "prepared to die or be prepared to kill".
The Guardian
US: Trial begins for man who allegedly drowned his father as part of exorcism
The younger Callahan, who was 19 at the time, told police he thought his father was possessed by a demon called "Dirty Dan".
Boston.com
6 in 10 US Catholics are in favour of abortion rights, Pew Research report finds
Catholics in the US, one of the country's largest single Christian groups, hold far more diverse views on abortion rights than the official teaching of their church.
NPR
Fri, 12 Apr 2024
Islamic extremist murdered Hartlepool man over Gaza – prosecutors
An Islamic extremist murdered a man in the street in protest against the Israel and Gaza conflict, a court has heard.
BBC
Church of England praises Matt Redman for disclosing abuse by Soul Survivor’s Mike Pilavachi
The Church of England has praised the "bravery" of Christian music superstar Matt Redman after The Telegraph revealed details of his abuse at the hands of Soul Survivor's Mike Pilavachi.
The Telegraph*
Cap on faith-school places under discussion again
The cap on the proportion of places that academies and free schools are allowed to allocate on the basis of faith may be lifted, it is reported.
Church Times*
Portuguese Catholic Church announces it will compensate victims of sex abuse
The Portuguese Catholic Church said Thursday it has unanimously agreed to pay some form of compensation to victims of sex abuse by clergy.
Associated Press
Students in Iran threatened with prosecution for graduation dance video
A group of Iranian students have been threatened with prosecution after a video of them dancing after their graduation emerged on social media this week.
The Guardian
‘Right to freedom from torture’: UN experts urge the Gambia not to decriminalise FGM
A team of UN experts has urged Gambian lawmakers not to repeal a ban on female genital mutilation, saying such a move would set a dangerous global precedent.
The Guardian
Thu, 11 Apr 2024
Churches 'trying to wind down clock' on abuse redress
Churches and other institutions being asked by Stormont to contribute towards redress for victims of historical child abuse have been accused of "trying to wind the clock down".
BBC
Fears that Muslim prisoners are being ‘groomed’ by extremists
A militant campaign group linked to the Iranian regime has provided spiritual guidance and religious materials to hundreds of Muslim prisoners in British jails, including at least one book written by an Islamist extremist.
The Jewish Chronicle
Caldey Island Abbey historical child sex abuse review announced
A Welsh abbey has commissioned an independent review into alleged historical child sex abuse.
BBC
Church of England investigation into Soul Survivor ex-chair and bishop concludes
The Church of England's inquiry into the former chair of Soul Survivor, Bishop Graham Cray, has reached its conclusion.
Premier Christian News
‘Rabbis misunderstand purpose of education’
The continuation of unregistered yeshivahs denies boys in the Chasidic community not just secular learning but access to their basic human rights, claims Eve Sacks
Jewish News
NI: Sinn Féin launch report supporting integrated education
The restored Stormont institutions provide an opportunity to fulfil a series of Sinn Féin proposals aimed at combatting sectarianism, Michelle O'Neill has said.
The Irish News
IRGC spies posed as Israelis to hack me, reveals stabbed Iran dissident
The TV presenter attacked outside his home last week calls for a UK ban on the regime terror group
The Jewish Chronicle
German police arrest Iraqi couple suspected of genocide for enslaving Yazidi girls
German police have arrested an Iraqi couple alleged to be Islamic State members, on suspicion of genocide and crimes against humanity for enslaving two Yazidi girls, federal prosecutors said on Wednesday.
Reuters
US: Arizona state senator leads prayer in tongues on floor before abortion ruling
An Arizona state senator led a prayer circle speaking in tongues on the chamber floor Monday, a day before the state supreme court upheld a Civil War-era law banning nearly all abortions.
Huffington Post
Wed, 10 Apr 2024
Regulator bans charity trustee who made speeches promoting religious violence
The Charity Commission has disqualified a former trustee of a religious charity after finding he was engaging in extremist activity.
Civil Society
Church of England clergy claim they were also victims of abuse by Soul Survivor’s Mike Pilavachi
Church of England clergy have come forward for the first time as victims of abuse by Soul Survivor's Mike Pilavachi.
The Telegraph*
Campaigner tells Stormont ministers to put pressure on holy orders over compensation for abuse victims
A campaigner has criticised the Executive for failing to put pressure on religious orders to contribute towards compensation for survivors of historical sexual abuse.
Belfast Telegraph
Faith schools could be allowed to exclude children who do not follow their religion
Officials said to be considering repealing rule that religious schools must make half of places open to children of differing faiths
The Telegraph*
Leeds man sentenced after posting support for Hamas
A man who admitted posting support for Hamas on social media has been sentenced for a terrorism offence.
BBC
Putin compares himself to Jesus in his battle to uphold tradition
President Putin has compared himself to Jesus Christ as he quoted the Bible to explain his divine mission schooling Russia's youth in "traditional" values.
The Times*
Polish lawmaker who extinguished Hanukkah candles faces charges
A Polish far-right lawmaker who used a fire extinguisher to put out Jewish Hanukkah candles in the country's parliament has been charged with crimes including insulting people on religious grounds, state news agency PAP reported on Tuesday.
Reuters
Catholics’ fury as Italian TV ad depicts nuns eating crisps for communion
An Italian TV advert that depicts nuns eating crisps instead of altar bread while receiving holy communion has been accused of blasphemy by an outraged association of Catholic TV viewers.
The Guardian
US: Christian school cancels 'demonic' Autism Awareness Week events
A pastor working in a US private school has sparked controversy after cancelling events related to Autism Awareness Week.
Premier Christian News
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
Muslim voting campaign supported by groups investigated over extremism
A campaign to get Muslim voters to back pro-Palestine candidates is reportedly being supported by two groups under investigation over extremism fears.
The Telegraph*
Christian singer Matt Redman reveals details of Soul Survivor’s Mike Pilavachi abuse for the first time
The British Christian music star speaks out about the abuse he suffered at the hands of the disgraced preacher.
The Telegraph*
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