A group of Islamic extremists in the area of Besi have attacked a meeting of Catholics in the parish of the Holy Family of Banteng , in an area north of Yogyakarta (island of Java). It has been alleged that dozens of armed people wearing robes assaulted a group while saying the rosary at a Read more
The Fiji Council of Churches, ECREA and other churches came together in a condolence gathering for the late president of the Methodist Church in Fiji, Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu. And this move, according to the head of the Catholic Archdiocese of Suva, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong, was a sign of unity among the churches in Fiji. Read more
When Diwali was celebrated in Rarotonga, on 3 November, hundreds of people turned up to enjoy Indian food, music dancing and cultural display. New Zealand’s High Commissioner to the Cook Islands Joanna Kempkers and Principal of Tereora College (the National College of the Cook Islands) Bali Haque addressed the Diwali gathering as well as various Read more
Offensive graffiti appearing on the site of a proposed Muslim school, and negativity circulating about the Muslim education system, has dismayed the Al-Noor Charitable Trust. The former St Patrick’s Primary School site, in South Dunedin, was bought in April this year by the Christchurch-based charity which has plans to spend about $8 million building the Read more
Next month The New Zealand Centre for Human Rights Law Policy and Practice is hosting a Symposium on Religion in Schools. This symposium will look into the arguments for and against religious instruction in schools, including a discussion as to how it fits under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990. The decision to Read more
At the start of Islam Awareness Week, Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins announced plans are underway for an official Muslim forum to be held in November. “The national forum will celebrate the different ways the Muslim community contributes positively to New Zealand society and the global community,” says Ms Collins. “Holding a forum is one Read more
The New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Committee for Interfaith Relations has been the recipient of two awards in recent times The Committee was awarded one of nine annual diversity awards by the Human Rights Commission acknowledging individuals and organisations that have made outstanding contributions to the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme through projects and programmes. Last Read more
Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins says plans are underway to hold New Zealand’s first Muslim conference in November. She says not only will it celebrate the different ways the Muslim community contributes to New Zealand society but will also discuss contemporary challenges. Continue reading
The issue of Christian missionaries proselytising in India has taken a bizarre turn after a church in the eastern state of Jharkhand installed a statue of Mother Mary and Baby Jesus depicted as “tribals,” the indigenous people of the state. With dark brown complexions and sporting traditional Indian tribal clothing (white sari with red border, Read more
To mark the the feast of Eid al-Fitr Pope Francis called for “mutual respect” between Christianity and Islam and an end to “unfair criticism.” “We are called to respect the religion of the other, its teachings, its symbols, its values,” he said. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community hopes that an exhibition it is putting on will Read more