British government urges all Muslim clerics (imams) to preach in English in order to ensure a level playing ground for all

British government urges all Muslim clerics (imams) to preach in English in order to ensure a level playing ground for all

Religion Unknown   05:56

In a bid to give everyone a level playing ground and create a peaceful coexistence in the Britain, the Prime Minister, Theresa May has advised all Muslim leaders (imams) to preach in English language.

This was disclosed as one her party’s manifesto tagged “integration strategy” in order to bolster cohesion within Britain and promised to create a “Commission for Countering Extremism”.

The move to make Britain free from any form of extremism was first launched by the PM, while serving as the Home Secretary during the era of David Cameron as Prime Minister, when ISIS began their terrorist activities.

The idea for such a directive for all to speak English is to ensure that “no artificial barriers being put up to people being able fully to feel that they are part of their local community”.

Speaking to the Telegraph, she said: “Obviously the ability to speak English is an important part of that because if you don’t speak English well then you will be less likely to be able to participate in general things that other people do, like speaking to your GP and speaking to your children’s teachers.”

Mrs May claimed increasing the number of language courses on offer, encouraging imams to preach in English and helping women get into work would all boost social integration within Britain.

This measure is also seen as way of controlling net migration, as the government reiterates its readiness to reduce net migration to the “tens of thousands” in the Tory manifesto earlier last week.

However, speaking on BBC’s Newsnight, Sir Michael said: "We haven't set out a formulation of how much it will reduce by each year, what we have set out is our ambition to continue to bear down on immigration.

"It's an ambition, and we have had it in previous manifestos."

Face up to on how much the cost of cutting immigration would be, Sir Michael further said: "There has been various academic work done on the cost of immigration.

"We have made it clear we accept there is a cost and we want to make sure that British companies do contribute to the training of British workers when they want to fill that post."

Jubilation as more than 40 Fulani Muslims converts to Christianity in Nigeria

Jubilation as more than 40 Fulani Muslims converts to Christianity in Nigeria

Religion Unknown   09:13

Joy unspeakable as over 400 Fulani Muslims surrender their lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in Nigeria have been encouraged to be steadfast and preach the gospel peace to their kindred, so that the incessant violence in the country could be brought under control.

The advice was made by Reverend Copper Sebok, who is the head of COCIN Church Panyam after the end of three days fasting and prayers on Sunday which was organised for all the new Fulani converts from denominations across Nigeria.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the sole aim of the conference was to awaken the need for preaching to their fellow brothers and sisters all over Nigeria.

“The conference is also a re-union service for all Fulani converts regardless of their denominations and to share experiences and encourage one another in the propagation of the gospel of peace.

“It is a concept of COCIN 43 years ago, and to debunk the notion that Fulani’s are nomadic and can’t be reached with the gospel of Christ.’’

In his sermon, read from Matt 9: 35-38, the clergy said man must have compassion on the unsaved to draw them to Christ for eternal salvation.

The clergy man criticised the rate in which crises are keep brewing in the country which brings about the loss of lives properties.

Rev. Hassan Mohammed, speaking on behalf of the converts, expressed appreciation to God for giving them a new lease of life as Christians.

He disclosed that the conference was an eye opener for them to go and proclaim the gospel not only to their kindred but to all nations, as commanded by Jesus Christ.

“We have a total of seven Fulani people ordained Reverends beside other Pastors and Evangelists and we are doing our best to enlighten our brothers and sisters about Christianity,’’ Mohammed said.

He thanked the organizers of the conference and appealed to both Christians and Muslim to continue to pray for the peace of the country.

Current report released by a charity organisation has shown the increasing rate of Christians facing persecution

Current report released by a charity organisation has shown the increasing rate of Christians facing persecution

Religion Unknown   06:28

Due to the twin bombing that took place last week, the UK government has put in more effort to boost security at the headquarters of the Coptic Church.

According to a recent data released by a charity organisation, Christians being persecuted daily has increased in the last four years. From the report, it was revealed that every month, about 322 Christians are being persecuted, 214 churches burnt down along with other forms of violence reported to be 772.

From available data, it was shown that a minimum of 44 people died in the twin church bombings of Coptic churches on Palm Sunday in Egypt.

Though, the Bishop of the Coptic Church in the UK has come out to announce that, there has not been any threat against the church, even though the procedures are being put in place as a way of reassuring the people.

He said: "I've heard lots of words. I've heard concern, I've heard anxious, I've even heard angry but I haven't heard the word fearful from anyone - I don't think it's part of our DNA.

"We are peaceful, we are loving, we are sacrificial, we are forgiving, and yet we still remain a target and I suppose it's just a cross we continue to carry."

Amir Michaeel is a Coptic Christian and like many others he struggles to understand why his faith is such a target overseas.

"In a way it can be like, because we are not retaliating, we are a weaker target and we are easy prey," he said.

"But at the same time I feel like there is something profoundly difficult about attacking someone who is not retaliating.

"For someone to turn the other cheek and for you to feel okay to hit them, I feel like it would take something quite inhumane to do something Iike that."

There is a general perception that the media, and the West, has in recent years largely ignored attacks on Christians in some parts of the world.

Tim Stanley, journalist for the Daily Telegraph, wrote on the subject and told Sky News that people are too afraid to call it "a war".

He said: "Some Western governments are legitimately worried about appearing to validate the narrative of the Islamists that this is about Islam versus Christianity, so they don't want to talk about the persecution of Christians and I get that.

"The problem is that's exactly what is actually happening. Moreover, I fear that some of that is political correctness."

British Prime Minister raises morals of the British people to express their Christian faith at any point in time

British Prime Minister raises morals of the British people to express their Christian faith at any point in time

Religion Unknown   06:16

As part of her Easter goodwill message to the United Kingdom, Theresa May has admonished the nation to be “be confident” about the important role Christianity plays in British life.

The PM remembered how she was brought up as a Christian from childhood during her Easter message the British people and made emphasis on how people should feel free to talk about what they believe in: “And that absolutely includes their faith in Christ.”

She said: “This Easter I think of those values that we share, values that I learnt in my own childhood, growing up in a vicarage.

“Values of compassion, community, citizenship. The sense of obligation we have to one another.

“These are values we all hold in common, and values that are visibly lived out every day by Christians, as well as by people of other faiths or none. We should be confident about the role that Christianity has to play in the lives of people in our country.

“And we should treasure the strong tradition that we have in this country of religious tolerance and freedom of speech.

“We must continue to ensure that people feel able to speak about their faith, and that absolutely includes their faith in Christ.”

She also went a little further to make reference to persecuted Christians, saying we should be “mindful of Christians and religious minorities around the world who do not enjoy these same freedoms but who practise their religion in secret and often in fear”.

The PM’s message came as last week hundreds of Christians celebrated Palm Sunday in burned-out churches in the Iraqi towns of Qaraqosh and Karamles near Mosul that were recently liberated from Islamic State.

To date, the displaced Christians haven’t been able to go back to their places of worship since being forced to flee in August 2014.

Mrs May also called on the nation to give full support to Brexit in the video message, which was released on YouTube by Downing Street.

She said: “This year, after a period of intense debate over the right future for our country, there is a sense that people are coming together and uniting behind the opportunities that lie ahead.

“For at heart, this country is one great union of people and nations with a proud history and a bright future. And as we face the opportunities ahead of us – the opportunities that stem from our decision to leave the European Union and embrace the world – our shared interests, our shared ambitions, and above all our shared values can, and must, bring us together.”

Also speaking about Easter, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called on people to use the values at the heart of Christianity to overcome society’s problems.

The Labour leader said: “We hear painful stories every day, of homelessness, poverty or crisis in our health service or across the world, of the devastating consequences of war and conflict, including millions forced to become refugees.

“We need to respond to these problems head on, through action and support for social justice, peace and reconciliation.”

A minimum of 20 worshippers of Sufi Shrine have been confirmed dead in Pakistan

A minimum of 20 worshippers of Sufi Shrine have been confirmed dead in Pakistan

Religion Unknown   08:47

It has been confirmed by the Pakistanis police authority that not less than 20 people were tortured and killed as a Sufi shrine by the custodian of the shrine.

Investigation revealed that the shrine worshippers were invited to pay a visit by the shrine’s custodian who with the support of other accomplices perpetuated the dastardly act.

Deputy commissioner Liaqat Ali Chattha narrated that "As they kept arriving, they were torturing and murdering them."

Most of the victims were hit on the back of the head in the incident in Sargodha, Punjab province.

During investigations, the 50-year-old custodian, Abdul Waheed, confessed to the murders, claiming he feared the victims had wanted to kill him, said regional police chief Zulfiqar Hameed.

According to Mr Hameed the suspect seemed to be mentally unsound however another motive could be rivalry for control of the shrine.

Local police station chief Shamshir Joya said the victims, whose clothes were torn and bloodstained, appeared to have been given intoxicants.

He added: "We suspect that the victims had been given some intoxicants before they were murdered, but we will wait for a forensics report to confirm this suspicion."

Meanwhile a doctor at a Sargodha hospital, Pervaiz Haider, said: "There are bruises and wounds inflicted by a club and dagger on the bodies of victims."

Four people were wounded in the incident.

It was with the help of a woman who managed to escape for her dare life that gave a hint to the police, after which, officers were deployed to the scence and got Waheed alongside several others.

Mr Joya said the shrine was built about two-and-a-half years ago and when its former custodian died, Waheed, who was once an employee of the national election commission, took over.

A South American village in tumult after a voodoo doll possessed over 30 members of the community

A South American village in tumult after a voodoo doll possessed over 30 members of the community

Religion Unknown   09:40

Tumult as evil spirit sacks a community after over 30 members of the village are reportedly being 'possessed by the devil ' after discovering a voodoo doll.

There is a rumour going on in the community that doll with cross marked across face is liable for the sickness - which has led many to believe they are haunted by evil spirits.

Thus, residents living in Santa Tomas, close to Waspan, in the south of Nicaragua, are said to be suffering from grisi siknis (translated into English as 'crazy sickness').

Grisi siknis is a culture-bound condition that most frequently distresses communities in Central America.

The contagious syndrome often exhibits symptoms such as nausea, anxiety, dizziness, irrational anger and fear, as well as periods of 'rapid frenzy'.

Surprisingly, people suffering with grisi siknis also have visions of spirits and demons. And each time a person is 'possessed', they name the next victim of the disease.

Though there seem to be a woman living in the community called Marisella, who has offered to give some help to her neighbours by making local remedies to ‘cure’ the disorder.

She creates medicines, which are poured across the back of the affected villager in the hope that it will ward off the evil spirits.

After studying the disease further, Marisella said she believes that she has found the cause - a small voodoo doll.

While speaking to Central America media, she stated that: "A doll with black ribbon and a cross marked on its face [has been found in a street].

"It suggests that it's affected by dark spells and bad influences. A type of bad spirit."

The villagers have now decided to burn the doll.