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Tue, 10 Mar 2020
UN rapporteur blasts Iran’s execution of gays based on Islamic morality
The newly released UN report of the special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran has condemned Iran's lethal homophobia.
The Jerusalem Post
Ministers preparing new law on free speech in universities
Ministers are preparing a new law on freedom of speech in universities.
HuffPost
Mon, 09 Mar 2020
Concerns raised over Catholic Church’s lack of financial contribution towards new faith school
The first new Roman Catholic state school in England for more than a decade is to go ahead without the church contributing anything to its costs.
iNews
Trevor Phillips suspended from Labour over Islamophobia allegations
The former UK equality watchdog chief, Trevor Phillips, has been suspended from the Labour Party over allegations of 'Islamophobia'.
BBC
‘How I fell victim to Labour’s inquisition’
Trevor Phillips says the party's investigation of him for alleged Islamophobia shows it's becoming an authoritarian cult.
The Times (£)
Anti-abortion activists ramp up 'intimidating' and 'distressing' protests outside clinics during Lent
Anti-abortion activists have ramped up "distressing" and "intimidating" protests outside clinics during the Christian period of Lent.
HuffPost
Religious leaders compare abortion to Holocaust as row grows over Gibraltar referendum
Religious leaders in Gibraltar have grouped together to compare the act of terminating pregnancies to the Holocaust.
The Telegraph
Institution previously run by Church of Scotland to be investigated by Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry
Langlands Park in Inverclyde, which was run by the Church of Scotland until 1985, is among the premises set to be investigated by the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.
Daily Record
Two found guilty of running illegal secondary school
Managers of a private primary school have been found guilty of operating an illegal secondary school for 66 children on the floor above.
Schools Week
Church raises cash to sue over ban on preacher Larry Stockstill at Edinburgh venue
A Christian group is mulling legal action over a decision to ban an American preacher who described homosexuality as "repulsive" from speaking at one of Scotland's most prestigious venues.
The Times (£)
Marches to demand abortion rights in Latin America on International Women’s Day
Hundreds of thousands of women across Latin America's biggest cities flocked to the streets for International Women's Day on Sunday, with many demanding legalised access to abortion.
France24
‘Proposed bill will enshrine religion's right to discriminate in Australia’
This editorial says a proposed 'religious freedom' bill in Australia will entrench divisions based on belief.
The Sydney Morning Herald
‘In defence of the Prevent strategy’
Ian Acheson argues that the Prevent strategy is a hugely effective exercise in safeguarding people who are vulnerable.
The Spectator
Fri, 06 Mar 2020
Orthodox Jewish independent school fails fifth Ofsted inspection in a row – NSS quoted
An independent Orthodox Jewish school in Stamford Hill in north London has failed its fifth Ofsted inspection in a row.
Hackney Gazette
Muslim parents raise concerns over relationships and sex education at Stoke-on-Trent primary school
Muslim families are being encouraged to air their views with a Stoke-on-Trent school over relationships and sex education.
Stoke Sentinel
Muslim Council of Britain urges investigation into Conservative Party
The Muslim Council of Britain has renewed its call for an independent inquiry into accusations of 'Islamophobia' in the Conservative Party.
BBC
Protesters in Nigeria demand state action against alleged ‘blasphemer’
Scores of youth demanded the state act against a singer for alleged 'blasphemy' in Nigeria on Wednesday – and in response police said they were making efforts to arrest the singer.
Premium Times
‘What The Satanic Temple is and why it’s opening a debate about religion’
A court case in the US state of Arizona has prompted a judge to ask what a religion is.
The Conversation
‘This gay, atheist, leftist is taking on Poland’s right-wing government — by running for president’
Robert Biedron has made a string of secularist pledges as he tries to become president of Poland.
Los Angeles Times
Thu, 05 Mar 2020
‘Hey, preacher, leave those kids alone’
Andrew Penman laments recent religious incursions into state schools in Britain.
Mirror
Freedom of religion 'must be defended', UK tells UN
The UK is urging international cooperation to tackle persecution on the grounds of religion or belief.
Christian Today
Oxford dean accused of failing to report child sexual assault claim
The dean of Christ Church – who is also the head of its cathedral – has been accused of failing to disclose an allegation of sexual assault of a minor to police or safeguarding officials.
The Guardian
Bishops to visit schools in Devon as part of C of E festival
Three bishops will visit secondary schools as part of Joy2020, a festival organised by the Church of England in Devon over the next few days.
Devon Live
Abortion rates up in England and Wales
Abortion rates have hit a record high in England and Wales.
Mirror
‘Women are leading the fight to protect India's secular constitution’
The Citizenship Amendment Act is only part of President Modi's assault on the secular underpinnings of the Indian constitution, says Rahila Gupta.
New Humanist
‘Shameful scenes in India must spark action in UK’
Alyn Smith MP explains why he asked the UK government about the terrible sectarian situation that has erupted in India over the last two weeks.
The National
Former Irish president threatens to leave Catholic Church over sexual abuse
Mary McAleese has written to Pope Francis saying she will leave the Catholic Church if it emerges the Holy See did not protect the members of an organisation for people with disabilities.
The Irish News
Call to ban neo-Nazi group in UK
The UK government is being urged to ban a neo-Nazi Satanist group which backs murder and sexual violence.
Metro
Wed, 04 Mar 2020
Catholic RE certificate "disproportionately affects" women teachers in NI
A Religious Education certificate needed to get a job in Catholic schools in Northern Ireland "disproportionately affects" the job prospects of women teachers.
BBC
London religious groups ‘to relax burial requirements in coronavirus pandemic’
Faith groups in London will be asked to relax requirements for funerals and burials if a coronavirus pandemic leads to a steep increase in deaths.
Evening Standard
Delhi riots: How Muslims' homes were targeted and burnt
Three days of fire and fury in north-east Delhi last week consumed more than 40 lives, leaving hundreds wounded and many missing.
BBC
‘What next for India's Muslims? More suffering and a further crackdown on their rights’
If identity documents are lost – including in attacks such as those seen in Delhi – it is not difficult to envisage a scenario in which a proportion of the country's Muslims are moved to detention centres.
The Independent
Russia's Putin wants traditional marriage and God in constitution
Russian President Vladimir Putin wants marriage to be defined as the union of a man and woman in a revised constitution, ruling out gay marriage.
BBC
Madrid court acquits Spanish actor of blasphemy complaint
A Madrid court has acquitted Spanish actor Willy Toledo in a blasphemy case after he was accused of making comments offensive to religious sentiment, according to court documents.
The Local (Spain)
Newly conservative supreme court to hear arguments in US abortion rights case
A remade conservative majority on the US supreme court will hear oral arguments in a case this week that could result in grave new restrictions on abortion access.
The Guardian
Christian youth tortured to death for ‘polluting’ tube-well water in Pakistan
A Christian labourer, who was brutally tortured by local landowners in Kasur three days ago on accusations that he had 'polluted' their tube-well water by bathing in it, succumbed to his injuries on Friday.
Pakistan Today
Pakistan court gives green light to women's march – with conditions
A Pakistani court on Tuesday gave the go-ahead to the country's largest women's rights event but told organizers to ensure participants adhere to "decency and moral values".
The New York Times
Colombia court upholds law restricting access to abortion
Colombia's Constitutional Court has voted in favour of upholding the nation's restrictive abortion law in a ruling that had been closely watched around Latin America.
AP News
New archbishop makes attacking same-sex marriage his first act
The new head of the Anglican Church in Uganda, Stephen Kazimba Mugalu, has spoken out against same-sex couples at his enthronement.
Gay Star News
Conversion therapy for minors to be banned in Virginia
The Democratic governor of the US state of Virginia has signed a bill banning conversion therapy for minors, the first LGBT rights measure to reach his desk this year.
The Washington Post
Tue, 03 Mar 2020
Indian lawmakers scuffle over violence which killed 41
Indian lawmakers pushed and shoved each other in parliament on Monday after opposition parties demanded the resignation of interior minister Amit Shah over the handling of violence triggered by a citizenship law that excludes Muslims.
Reuters
‘The violence in Delhi is not a “riot”. It is targeted anti-Muslim brutality’
Blame the poisonous ideology of the Hindu nationalist BJP for the blood on India's streets, says Kenan Malik.
The Observer
Activists voice concern over sex education guidance for schools in England
New guidance will leave many children in England ignorant about consent, forced marriage and LGBTQ+ issues, say young activists.
The Guardian
‘Don’t assume what British Muslims think — ask us’
Akeela Ahmed says British Muslims want to help counter and prevent Islamist extremism but also want to be treated as equal citizens.
The Times (£)
Councillors want rethink on decision to turn open space into mosque car park
Councillors in Stoke-on-Trent are calling for a rethink on plans to turn council-owned open space into a mosque car park.
Stoke Sentinel
Plans submitted for a symbolic Jewish boundary in parts of Stockport
Plans have been submitted to erect an eruv - a symbolic Jewish boundary - in parts of Stockport.
Manchester Evening News
‘Christian domination of NHS pastoral care must end’
Andrew Copson says NHS managers should ensure that public services, including pastoral, spiritual, and religious services, are inclusive for all.
Health Service Journal
Secularist leader remains kingmaker by slim margin after latest Israeli election
Yisrael Beytenu head Avigdor Liberman remains kingmaker of the next government by a very slim margin, exit polls suggest, despite not making a major breakthrough during the latest Israeli election.
The Jerusalem Post
Christian couple sentenced to death for blasphemy will get final verdict in April
A pair of Christians who are on death row for blasphemy in Pakistan are soon to receive a verdict on their appeal.
Premier Christian News
Vatican opens secret files on pope accused of failing to help Jews during Second World War
The Vatican has opened the Holy See's archives to shed light on the papacy of Pius XII, whose files were kept secret for decades due to accusations he failed to help save Jews during the Holocaust.
The Independent
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