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Your daily media briefing - Friday 21 August

  

In the Media is our daily collection of news and commentary related to secularism, available delivered to your inbox. You can also read the latest news and opinion and listen to our podcasts on our website.

  

Secularism in the media

 

Muslim MSP adds voice to criticism of hate crime bill - NSS mentioned

Anas Sarwar, the Labour MSP, said that the level of criticism about the proposed law was undermining attempts to bring communities together to tackle bigotry.

The Times (£)

 

Housing estate exclusively for Orthodox Jewish families set to be built despite objections

A planned housing estate, which would be exclusively for Orthodox Jewish families, is set to be built despite some objections that the homes should be available for everyone to live in.

Chronicle Live

 

Manchester Arena bombing: Hashem Abedi sentenced to at least 55 years in prison

The brother of Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi has been sentenced to at least 55 years in prison for his part in the atrocity.

Sky News

 

'Cow yoga' cancelled and farm apologises for offending Hindus

Free-range yogurt brand, Lancashire Farm Dairies, invited yoga enthusiasts to their first ever cow yoga session at Paradise Farm in Leyland last week but has now said they will no longer hold the sessions following criticism from the Hindu community.

LancsLive

 

Witchcraft related child abuse increases in Bolton

Abuse of children based on faith or belief ­— which includes witchcraft, spirit possession and black magic ­— increased from eight in 2017/18 to 38 in 2018/19.

The Bolton News

 

Plan launched to open Muslim girls' school in Burton

Plans have been launched to open Burton's first independent Muslim girls school.

Derbyshire Live

 

Hungary's Orban calls for central Europe to unite around 'Christian roots'

Central European nations should unite to preserve their 'Christian roots' as western Europe 'experiments' with same-sex families, immigration and atheism, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Thursday.

Reuters

 

Mexico-based church leader ordered to stand trial on sex crime charges

The head of a Mexico-based evangelical church that claims more than 1 million followers worldwide was ordered on Tuesday to remain in jail and stand trial on charges of rape, human trafficking and child pornography.

Reuters

 

Fundraiser launched for ‘vindicated’ George Pell’s legal expenses

The head of a Catholic publishing house has launched a fundraiser for Cardinal George Pell. Pell was convicted on charges of sexual offences but his conviction was overturned by the High Court of Australia earlier this year.

The Freethinker (Patheos)

 

Jihadists take hundreds hostage during raid in north-east Nigeria

Jihadists in the restive north-east of Nigeria have taken hundreds of people hostage who had only recently returned home from refugee camps, after local government officials claimed their town was safe.

The Guardian

 

'Her American father was shot in a blasphemy trial in Pakistan. Now she’s fighting for justice.'

On July 29, Mashal Naseem's father, 57-year-old Tahir Ahmad Naseem, was killed in cold blood — in the very courtroom where he was being tried for claiming to be a prophet.

Religion News Service

 

'S. Korea's latest church-linked coronavirus outbreak is turning into a battle over religious freedom'

A South Korean religious group at the center of a new coronavirus outbreak has been accused by the government of withholding key information and obstructing public health authorities in their fight against the pandemic.

CNN

  

The latest from the NSS

 

Minister will ‘seriously consider’ concern over hate crime bill

Scotland's justice secretary has said he'll seriously consider a warning that a hate crime bill would undermine free expression.

  

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