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NewsWatch informs you about current events so that you can pray effectively. Your prayer today has the power to impact the headlines of tomorrow.
Equalities Minister Harriet Harman has confirmed she will not force controversial amendments to the Equality Bill through parliament following their defeat in the House of Lords. The attempts to define more clearly which religious posts were exempt from equality rules were seen by churches as narrowing their exemptions. Ms Harman believes groups have failed to comply with the law applying to 'non-religious' jobs such as church youth workers and accountants. But church leaders have claimed that youth workers are often in religious roles if they are involved in discipling young people. Although Ms Harman made no reference to Pope Benedict's criticism of the Bill, The Times believes the Government does not want to be at loggerheads with churches during preparations for his visit.
Sources: Church Times (5/2); The Times (3/2) www.churchtimes.co.uk , www.timesonline.co.uk ,
Newham council is to evict the group planning a mosque next to the 2012 Olympic site in Stratford. The Abbey Mills Mosque and Islamic Centre, designed for 12,000 worshippers, has garnered huge opposition from the local community and religious groups. Over 48,000 people signed a petition against what would be the largest mosque in Europe. The council's decision to evict Tablighi Jamaat comes after the Islamist group had run a mosque on the site illegally for three years. Tablighi Jamaat deny any terrorist links, but intelligence agencies believe al Qaeda could use it as a cover. Christian Peoples' Alliance councillor Alan Craig welcomed the decision, saying the council had 'come to see the misogynist nature of the group'.
Source: London Evening Standard (18/1) www.thisislondon.co.uk/
The BBC will step up its coverage of Christianity this Easter after criticism that last year's offering was sparse. The BBC announcement came as the Church of England prepared to consider a motion in the General Synod criticising the broadcaster for 'completely ignoring the Christian significance of Good Friday 2009'. An Easter broadcast from King's College, Cambridge will be the broadcaster's most high profile addition. The traditional Carols from King's shown at Christmas drew 2.7 million viewers. The BBC's head of religion, Aaqil Ahmed, said he hoped the new programme would also become a regular broadcast. Two religious documentaries have been planned for BBC1, while BBC2 will screen The Private Life of an Easter Masterpiece featuring The Descent from the Cross by Rogier van der Weyden. A Holy Land Songs of Praise and the Pope's Urbi et Orbi address are also scheduled.
Sources: Church Times (5/2) www.churchtimes.co.uk/
Malaysian churches were preparing for further attacks after a controversial court ruling triggered three petrol bombings by Muslim protesters. Metro Tabernacle Church, Kuala Lumpur was '90 per cent gutted' by an early morning attack, a church spokesman said. Petrol bombs hurled into the Assumption Catholic Church and the Life Chapel Protestant church in adjacent Petaling Jaya, however, failed to cause damage. The incidents came within hours of an appeal court ruling permitting The Herald Catholic newspaper to use the term 'Allah' to refer to God. Malaysia's Muslim majority insist the term can only be used by Muslims, even though Christians in the country have used it for centuries.
Source: The Times (8/1) www.timesonline.co.uk
Over a hundred actors will bring Christ's trial and execution to the heart of London next Good Friday by staging a Passion Play in Trafalgar Square. Organisers say the free performance will give a 'unique' taste of being in Jerusalem on the first Good Friday. The event has the backing of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster. Most Revd Vincent Nichols said: 'I am delighted that people from so many Christian denominations will be coming together to remind Londoners why the bank holiday of Good Friday is observed.'
Source: Daily Telegraph (13/1) www.telegraph.co.uk/
British Airways check-in operator Nadia Eweida has begun her appeal against a ruling that she did not suffer religious discrimination. Nadia, who was temporarily banned from work for wearing a small silver cross, is contesting the Employment Appeal Tribunal decision that she was not a victim of indirect religious discrimination. The committed Christian was off work without pay for six months, and is claiming £120,000 in damages and lost wages. Her case is supported by human rights group Liberty, whose poll revealed that 86 per cent of British Christians disagree with BA’s cross ban. Former Home Secretary John Reid said, ‘This woman’s cross was as important to her as the hijab or turban are to others.’ Sources: The Times (19/1); This Is Local London (19/1); Daily Telegraph (19/1) www.timesonline.co.uk/ www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/ www.telegraph.co.uk/
