Russian customs officials have unlawfully seized a total of 10.5 million books and brochures intended for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia since March. The Administrative Center of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia say the texts, including Bibles, share a message of comfort and hope but have been classified as “extremist.” Among the seized books are nearly 4,000 copies of the…
Religious affiliation in Russia has increased considerably over the last two decades, according to a series of surveys by the Pew Research Centre. The number of Russians claiming to be religious has risen from 11{286427c60984e496d8f2e542e7d21c54ddb5734529e6fb3e21d1c17283afa115} in 1991 to 54{286427c60984e496d8f2e542e7d21c54ddb5734529e6fb3e21d1c17283afa115} in 2008. The portion of adults who said they believe in God rose from 38{286427c60984e496d8f2e542e7d21c54ddb5734529e6fb3e21d1c17283afa115} to…
Gillingham MP Rehman Chishti is campaigning for the UK to refer to the so called “Islamic State” (also referred to as ISIS or ISIL) as “Daesh” in line with other countries around the World, calling on the BBC and the Government to make this change. Prime Minister David Cameron echoed the call in an interview with the…
“If ‘Satanic Islam’ pastor James McConnell goes to jail I will go with him, insists Muslim cleric” is the headline in the Belfast Telegraph, as the Belfast Pastor faces prosecution for a sermon describing Islam as heathen and satanic. The prosecution of Pastor McConnell, under the 2003 Communications Act, has been described as “absurd” by Dr…
The European Parliament Intergroup on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Religious Tolerance (Intergroup) has presented its first Annual Report on the ‘State of Freedom of Religion or Belief’. The report was presented at an event hosted by the Intergroup in collaboration with United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. Speakers included the Chairs of…
A book by investigative journalist Lars Bové of De Tijd newspaper claims that extensive surveillance by the Belgian State Security services on the Church of Scientology, which failed to find evidence of any wrongdoing, suggest a paranoid reaction to the Church and other sects operating in the country. The Security services instigated cancellation of Government contracts with…
For the 30th year the Westminster Interfaith Multi-Faith Pilgrimage for Peace with the Hounslow Friends of Faith in the Hounslow area took place. Two members of the All Faiths Network also participated. Launching the Pilgrimage were MPs Ruth Cadbury (Brentford & Isleworth) and Seema Malhotra MP (Feltham & Heston) along with Councillor Nisar Malik, Mayor…
Russia Religion News reports that, after months of preparatory work and a long history of repression, the Chief Directorate of the Ministry of Justice of Russia for the republic of Crimea and Sevastopol has immediately granted all 22 applications for registration submitted by local groups of Jehovah’s Witnesses. From the point of view of international…
The Russian Ministry of Justice is planning to obtain approval on a proposal that will allow them greater control over the finances of some religious institutions. The new powers will amend the law “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations”, if a bill that the ministry is submitting to the State Duma is approved. Religious organizations that…
Prime Minister David Cameron will include new counter-terrorism measures aimed at tackling radical extremism in the forthcoming Queen’s Speech. A new Bill will be intended to “catch not just those who spread or incite hatred on the grounds of gender, race or religion but also those who undertake harmful activities for the purpose of overthrowing democracy”, according…
