The Public Policy unit of the LCF and CCFON would like to wish you a joyous and blessed Christmas and New Year. At a time when we are facing many serious issues that affect our nation this is a season when we can remember and rest in the assurance of God’s sovereignty in all things. The birth of Jesus Christ is a reminder to us all of God’s sovereign salvation plan in all of our lives, and we celebrate with you as we thank God for His faithfulness, goodness and love.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Headlines
New website launched opposing the mega-mosque
Opponents to the planned ‘mega-mosque’ in East London have launched their own website as an information portal to background information and the latest news on the plans. The website is called www.megamosquenothanks.com. It also contains information about Tablighi Jamaat, the organisation which is planning on building the mosque.
There has been concern among many quarters about Tablighi Jamaats possible links with terrorism, something they continuously deny, and the significance of such a large mosque being built in the capital and so close to the planned 2012 Olympic Stadium.
In the face of growing opposition to the mosque Tablighi Jamaat has now hired PR agency Indigo Public Affairs and have set up their own website about the mosque.
For more information on the planned mosque and on Tablighi Jamaat please visit the new website at:
LCF/CCFON day conference on Islam in January
On 28th January the LCF/CCFON are hosting a day long conference entitled “The legal challenges faced by Islam: How should the church respond?”
Democracy in the UK and worldwide is being challenged by a new force – that of militant Islam. This conference will look at some of the issues involved in how national and international law can confront this issue, as well as what the appropriate response of the church should be.
Speakers at the conference include:
Baroness Caroline Cox – president of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, an organisation working on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs and promoting religious freedom for all. Baroness Cox is the author of ‘Islam, Islamism and the West: Is Idiological Islam Compatible with Liberal Democracy?’
Dr Sam Solomon – Global expert on Islam and sharia law.
Paul Diamond – barrister specialising in religious freedom cases, including Nadia Eweida (BA worker who wasn’t allowed to wear a cross), Exeter University Christian Union case, Stephen Copsey (working on a Sunday case).
Charlotte Thorneycroft – qualified barrister who now works in public policy. Charlotte has a masters degree in human rights law and is the author of ‘The compatibility of sharia law and human rights’.
The conference is taking place at 6-8 Marshalsea Road, London and will start at 10am and finish at 5pm. The cost of the conference is £20 (lunch and light refreshments included).
To book a place on the conference please contact Simone Lamont on 0207 4076157, or by email on .
Oxford mosque seeks permission to broadcast call to prayer
Oxford Central Mosque, Cowley Road, Oxford, is seeking permission from Oxford City Council to be allowed to make an amplified broadcast of the Islamic prayer call at least 3 times per day, 365 days a year.
One of the reasons given to justify this is that churches are allowed to ring their bells. However, the Muslim prayer call is not a simple signal to the faithful like the ringing of a bell is to Christians. Rather, it is an explicit theological statement, in Arabic, about Mohammed and his status as a prophet which takes about two minutes to recite.
Local residents opposed the application at an Oxford City Council meeting this week.
Links
Oxford Mail: ‘Alarm over call to prayer’
http://www.oxfordmail.net/news/headlines/display.var.1920552.0.alarm_over_call_to_prayer.phpOxford mail:’Call to prayer not necessary’
http://www.oxfordmail.net/search/display.var.1899964.0.call_to_prayer_not_necessary.php
Islam in English Law - A series of public discussions in the Temple Church
Organised by the Temple Church and the Centre for Islamic and Middle Eastern Law (School of Oriental and African Studies).
This series of lectures is not organised or endorsed by the LCF, but members may be interested in attending.
Foundation Lecture: 'Civil and Religious Law in England: A Religious Perspective' - a Lecture by The Most Rev. and Rt Hon. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, Thursday 7 February, 6.00pm - 7.30pm, Temple Church. Admission free but must be pre-booked.
For further information
and to book tickets contact Sarah Hibbin at
or at: School of Oriental and African Studies, Thornhaugh Street,
Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG.