A decision to invite a Muslim cleric to say a prayer at an Anzac Day service has sparked an anguished backlash from veterans. The Returned and Services Association (RSA) branch at Titahi Bay near Wellington has moved the Muslim prayer from its 6 am dawn service to its 10 am civic ceremony after some veterans Read more
Posts Tagged ‘Christian Muslim Relations’
Neighbouring Muslim and Christian communities grieve together
Monday, March 18th, 2019
On Sunday afternoon the Catholic bishop of Auckland, Patrick Dunn, led a service in Sacred Heart Church that was attended by a large number of men and women from the Al-Masjid Al-Jamie mosque. The church was packed to overflowing with many dozens more outside and across the road outside the mosque. The mosque and the church Read more
Muslims and Catholics helping each other out in Indonesia
Thursday, August 2nd, 2018
In a country where the news is often about incidents of religious intolerance, Muslims and Catholics have been coming to each other’s aid. Last Sunday over 3,500 people joined a charity run organized by Indonesia’s Jakarta Archdiocese to raise money to build churches in various parts of the country. Most were Catholics but Muslims also Read more
Anglican church in Mataura converted into a mosque
Monday, July 23rd, 2018A former Anglican church in Mataura has been converted into a mosque. The Main St church was bought by the Ashburton Muslim Association at auction in May. The imam (leader) of the Mataura Masjid (mosque), Zamberi Bin Matyunus, a New Zealand citizen originally from Malaysia, lives in Mataura with his family. Read more
Growing Islamisation making Christians in Papua anxious
Monday, April 30th, 2018
Father Konstantinus Bahang says the attitude of Christians towards Islam of late has displayed both fear and, increasingly, loathing. He says their fear stems from growing Islamisation in all spheres of life, particularly the economy. “Most of the people who are well-connected and who are prospering are Muslims, while Papuans are getting left out,” said Bahang, Read more
Priest in Indonesia has forgiven man who attacked him with a sword
Thursday, March 1st, 2018
A priest in Indonesia attacked and wounded in his church by a sword-wielding man on 11 February says he has forgiven his attacker. Suliyono, 22, a suspected Muslim extremist, armed with a sword, entered St. Lidwina Church in Yogyakarta as the congregation was singing a hymn during Mass led by Jesuit Father Karl-Edmund Prier. “I forgive Sulyono Read more
Christians and Muslims seek healing together in Marawi
Thursday, September 7th, 2017
“Duyog Marawi,” is a Catholic aid and healing programme in the war-torn city of Marawi in the Philippine island of Mindanao. It was launched by the Prelature of St. Mary in Marawi City on the 100th day of the Marawi conflict, even as families awaited word on the fate of some 40 hostages, including the Read more
Youth winning Jericho: walls tumbling, bridges being built
Monday, July 24th, 2017
A new youth centre in Jericho is uniting Christian and Muslim young people and has become “a school of peaceful co-existence”, as was intended when it opened earlier this year. The school is open to all people in Jericho who are aged 14-29. Most are Muslim. The Franciscan-owned and run centre offers free courses in Read more
Money for giant Statue of Jesus better spent on the poor
Monday, May 8th, 2017
A Catholic bishop in Indonesia’s Papua province has criticised a plan by local authorities in Jayapura to build “the world’s tallest statue of Jesus”. The bishop called the move a waste of much-needed money. The statue, which would be built at the top of Puncak Gunung Swajah in the city of Jayapura, would cost somewhere Read more
Christian Governor of Jakarta in court to face blasphemy allegation
Friday, November 18th, 2016
Jakarta’s Christian governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, was formally named a suspect in a blasphemy investigation on Wednesday Nov 16. It is alleged the he insulted Islam. Naming someone a suspect is a formal step in the Indonesian legal system that means authorities believe they have enough preliminary evidence to consider filing charges. Purnama, who could Read more