News that the Sikh Gurdwara in the western German city of Essen may have been attacked by young people linked to a local fundamentalist extremist network has shifted focus away from far right groups, who were initially suspected for the attack. Police have suggested that the two suspects arrested have links to a local Salafist […]
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Not many people know about this nation surrounding the Caspian Sea. When some hear of Azerbaijan, they think about an exotic land and possibly about energy resources if they have kept abreast of news stories recently. Yet Azerbaijan has a deep history of tolerance towards other faiths and traditions. Many do not know that Azerbaijan […]
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The mass murder and carnage that took place today in Brussels has led to a measured response from the public and from others on social media. The sheer brutality of the killing has led to a response that has talked of communities ‘coming together’ against the extremists and terrorists. This is the right and proportionate […]
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Dear Community, Our synagogue received three unusual Chanukkah cards last week. They each begin Dear Jewish Community, I send this message to you as a Muslim. I share with you the celebration of spiritual light that opposes the darkness of religious hatred. Each concludes ‘Your Muslim neighbour’ and carries a personal signature. The Joseph Interfaith […]
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In May 2015, we were contacted by parents in Waltham Forest who were concerned about a ‘questionnaire‘ that was being circulated to young people in schools. We were aware of the following questionnaires being circulated in Buxton School in Leytonstone (Waltham Forest) and the questionnaires seemed to indicate that they related to Prevent work. The […]
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We are shocked and horrified to learn about the murders of over 120 people on Friday evening in Paris. As news unfolds, it is becoming clear that terrorists targeted the cultural and social heart of Paris. As the Turkish Prime Minister has stated, these crimes are a “crime against humanity”. These multiple attacks show the […]
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Faith Matters warmly welcomes the release of Shaker Aamer after 14 long years. Many of them were spent in the legal black hole that is Guantanamo and it is clear that the long periods of solitary confinement have also had an impact on his mental and physical health. Yet, it should never have come to […]
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The announcement from the Prime Minister regarding a raft of measures as part of the counter-extremism strategy primarily looks to disrupt extremist activities including the use of venues, the posting of extremist material and tougher measures on radio and television channels showing extremist content. These are a raft of measures that will be implemented in […]
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Following the recent calls by faith leaders from across a range of faiths, the Church of England has released a letter it had written to the Prime Minister asking him for further action on allowing in more refugees from Syria into the United Kingdom. The letter has been released and picked up by the Guardian […]
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IS have supposedly killed 10 people it accused of being gay, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The killings were committed yesterday, Monday, in northern Syria. The executions included the murder of 9 adults and one boy whom IS accused of being involved in homosexuality. The Observatory suggested that the killings were conducted in […]
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