New Zealand’s second terrorist attack in two years highlights weaknesses in existing counter-terrorism laws in preventing violent extremism. Beyond fast-tracking changes to terrorism suppression laws, there are still other areas of law and policy in New Zealand we need to urgently review. Legislative change was already underway as part of an omnibus bill on terrorism. Read more
A man accused of possessing Isis propaganda material took the stand to defend his actions in front of a jury on Monday. He said he was only learning about his religion, and he was put in jail because he is a Muslim and his religion is not liked. The Auckland man, who has name suppression, Read more
As part of an effort to remember and pray for persecuted Christians, several churches in the Diocese of Málaga, Spain are displaying a chalice that was shot by the Islamic State. The chalice was rescued from a Syrian Catholic church in the town of Qaraqosh on the Nineveh plain in Iraq. It was brought to Read more
It became clear that I would need to follow the Rev. Jacques Mourad around all day. To the kitchen, where he was preparing kebab with eggplants or demonstrating how to cut onions just so or washing dishes. To the chapel, where he was picking away wax collecting on candle holders. To the classrooms, where he Read more
The Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka has called for an “independent and impartial” investigation into the bombings of three churches and three hotels on Easter Sunday. The leaders claim that this investigation must bring about justice for the victims by holding those responsible before the law. On April 21, Easter Sunday, suicide bombers reportedly supported Read more
The state must find Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday terror attack perpetrators and put them on trial. If they don’t, they risk the community taking justice into its own hands, warns Cardinal Malcom Ranjith of Colombo. “I want to state that we may not be able to keep people under control in the absence of a Read more
Suicide bombers attacked a Christian church in Quetta, Pakistan on Sunday. The Bethel Memorial Methodist Church, which was targeted in the attack, was on high alert as Christian places of worship are often targeted by Islamist extremists over the Christmas season. Over 400 people were attending a service at the time of the attack. Nine Read more
Vatican visitors may be Islamic State’s (ISIS) next terror targets. A pro-ISIS propaganda channel has made a poster depicting a car attack. The poster – reading “Christmas blood” – shows a masked jihadi driving a BMW at high speed towards St Peter’s Basilica. An assault rifle and a rucksack can be seen on the seat Read more
Hiding under their beds from Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists for eight hours, seven young women prayed Our Lady would save them. She did. The women’s ordeal started last week when ISIS fighters entered the church-run sanctuary in Kirkuk where the women were living. Kirkuk is about 60 kilometres to the south of Mosul. Speaking through Read more
A pro-Islamic State (ISIS) video has been sent to the Vatican with a warning that Pope Francis and visitors to the Vatican could be targets of an ISIS terrorist attack. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin says he has seen two videos from ISIS over the past few days. One threatens Italy with a Read more