Author archives: Faith Matters

Church leaders shut Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre in land, tax protest
February 25, 2018 By Faith Matters

Church leaders shut Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre in land, tax protest

Church leaders in Jerusalem shut the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Sunday in protest at a new Israeli tax policy and a proposed land expropriation law which they called an unprecedented attack on Christians in the Holy Land. Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Armenian church leaders said the holy site, a popular stop for pilgrims and where many Christians believe Jesus […]

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“France first”, far right’s Marechal-Le Pen says in comeback speech
February 24, 2018 By Faith Matters

“France first”, far right’s Marechal-Le Pen says in comeback speech

France should follow U.S. President Donald Trump’s lead and fight for “France first”, Marion Marechal-Le Pen, seen as a potential leader of France’s far right, told U.S conservatives on Thursday in her first public appearance in months. The 28-year-old former lawmaker, granddaughter of National Front founder Jean-Marie Le Pen and niece of party leader Marine […]

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French PM vows to combat ‘slow-burn’ threat of radical Islam
February 24, 2018 By Faith Matters

French PM vows to combat ‘slow-burn’ threat of radical Islam

France’s prime minister on Friday announced steps including prison isolation zones and more stringent licensing rules for faith-based schools to combat what he called a slow-burning threat from Islamist radicalisation. In a traditionally Catholic country that is home to Europe’s largest Muslim community, President Emmanuel Macron has already imposed tougher legislation after attacks by Islamist […]

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Second Austrian far-right group has anti-Semitic songbook – newspaper
February 21, 2018 By Faith Matters

Second Austrian far-right group has anti-Semitic songbook – newspaper

A second Austrian student fraternity has a songbook containing anti-Semitic lyrics making fun of the Holocaust and insulting Jews, a newspaper said on Tuesday, three weeks after it exposed a similar case that forced a far-right politician to quit. The earlier case reported by Falter prompted the resignation of a prominent member of the anti-Islam Freedom […]

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British Sikhs, Solidarity and the Network of Sikh Organisations
February 18, 2018 By Faith Matters

British Sikhs, Solidarity and the Network of Sikh Organisations

It is with sadness that we read about the statement made by the Network of Sikh Organisations (NSO) about the support and solidarity that was being shown with Sikhs who are attacked because of their identity as Sikhs and because of racism. It is also clear that some Sikhs are attacked on the perception that […]

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As the Integration Strategy Gets the Final Touches We Need to Go Back to Basics
February 13, 2018 By Faith Matters

As the Integration Strategy Gets the Final Touches We Need to Go Back to Basics

What are the basics? Well, over the last 2 decades much investment has been placed into dialogue and engagement projects, many of which have done some great work, though on a stop and start basis where groups have come in, organised sets of people together and then left, having ticked off a box. Or, depending […]

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Imam Muhammad Yasir Ayub Also Goes Into Anti-Shia Rants
February 12, 2018 By Faith Matters

Imam Muhammad Yasir Ayub Also Goes Into Anti-Shia Rants

Yesterday we highlighted how this imam was involved in posting comments on his Facebook page that inflamed community divisions. A further observation shows how sometimes, hatred towards minorities spreads to anti-Shia hatred. Imam Ayub, who preaches in various mosques has also been highlighting his dislike of Shia Muslims through a series of postings on his […]

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Anti-Ahmadi Rhetoric Rumbles On – With Terms Such As ‘Kafir’ Used
February 11, 2018 By Faith Matters

Anti-Ahmadi Rhetoric Rumbles On – With Terms Such As ‘Kafir’ Used

In 2018 in modern day Britain, there are religious leaders who think that believers of their faith are so weak that different sects may ‘affect’ believers in their faith. Forget the fact that social media, access to the Internet, Daesh, unemployment and reduced life chances may affect the faith of the congregation, today, they are […]

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Leaving Faith Behind: The journeys and perspectives of people who have chosen to leave Islam
February 10, 2018 By Faith Matters

Leaving Faith Behind: The journeys and perspectives of people who have chosen to leave Islam

For over 20 years, Fiyaz Mughal OBE, the Director of Faith Matters has worked with faith communities. Having successfully set up national projects, like Tell MAMA, which he left in January 2017 after completing the set up and expansion of the project, he has been engaged in an area of work exploring the reasons why […]

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We Should Defend Women’s Right to Wear The Hijab & Also to Take it Off
February 6, 2018 By Faith Matters

We Should Defend Women’s Right to Wear The Hijab & Also to Take it Off

As powers in Iran realise the futility in enforcing morality on women through the Hijab, a report just released shows how views have changed within the country with many Iranians believing that wearing the Hijab should be a personal choice and not state sanctioned or enforced.  Indeed, such has been the courage of some women […]

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