Author archives: Faith Matters

‘Radical Islam’ still a first-order security threat, says Blair
September 7, 2021 By Faith Matters

‘Radical Islam’ still a first-order security threat, says Blair

“Radical Islam” continues to represent a “first-order security threat” 20 years after the 9/11 terror attacks on the United States, Tony Blair has warned. The former prime minister urged leaders from around the world to come together to develop a common strategy to counter the menace to their societies. In a speech to the Royal […]

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Extremist views widespread in England’s classrooms, say teachers
September 6, 2021 By Faith Matters

Extremist views widespread in England’s classrooms, say teachers

Extreme views like racism, homophobia and conspiracy theories are widespread in classrooms across England, a study suggests. Schools lack the resources and training to teach pupils how to discuss or reject dangerous views, according to academics from the University College London (UCL) Institute of Education. Their report, published days before the 20th anniversary of the […]

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British IS ‘Beatles’ terrorist facing life behind bars after guilty pleas
September 3, 2021 By Faith Matters

British IS ‘Beatles’ terrorist facing life behind bars after guilty pleas

A British terrorist who conspired to abduct and behead Western hostages for the so-called Islamic State is facing spending the rest of his life behind bars after pleading guilty to multiple charges in a US federal court. Alexanda Amon Kotey, 37, was one of the gang of four IS militants nicknamed “the Beatles” by their […]

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Interpreter appeals to UK Government to help families left in Afghanistan
August 18, 2021 By Faith Matters

Interpreter appeals to UK Government to help families left in Afghanistan

An Afghan interpreter has pleaded with the UK Government to help the families “who offered their sons when your sons needed help” in the fight against terror. The 35-year-old man and his brother started helping British forces when he was just 17 before emigrating to the UK in 2011. Although he is now a British […]

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Anaesthetist guilty of injecting partner with drugs during distorted Ruqya exorcisms
August 7, 2021 By Faith Matters

Anaesthetist guilty of injecting partner with drugs during distorted Ruqya exorcisms

A hospital anaesthetist is facing jail after injecting his partner with drugs during a series of exorcism ceremonies, leaving her close to death with multiple organ failure. Hossam Metwally, 60, made dozens of video recordings of himself administering fluids through a cannula to Kelly Wilson while chanting as part of a “dangerous perversion” of the […]

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Tommy Robinson must wait for ruling on Syrian teenager’s libel claim
July 20, 2021 By Faith Matters

Tommy Robinson must wait for ruling on Syrian teenager’s libel claim

Tommy Robinson faces a wait to find out whether he has won or lost a libel case brought against him by a Syrian boy who was filmed being attacked at school. The English Defence League founder – whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – is being sued by Jamal Hijazi, who was recorded being bullied […]

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Israel’s prime minister has no plans to change rules at sacred Jerusalem site
July 19, 2021 By Faith Matters

Israel’s prime minister has no plans to change rules at sacred Jerusalem site

Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett is not changing the norms at a contested site in Jerusalem to allow Jewish prayer there, his office said, following comments that sparked angry reactions a day earlier. Mr Bennett, Israel’s new premier, had raised concerns on Sunday when he said Israel was committed to protecting “freedom of worship” for […]

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Danish cartoonist whose work sparked anger in Muslim world dies aged 86
July 19, 2021 By Faith Matters

Danish cartoonist whose work sparked anger in Muslim world dies aged 86

Danish cartoonist Kurt Westergaard, whose image of the Prophet Mohammed was at the centre of widespread anti-Danish anger in the Muslim world in the mid-2000s, has died aged 86. Mr Westergaard’s family announced his death to Danish media late on Sunday and told the newspaper Berlingske that Mr Westergaard died in his sleep after a […]

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Radical preacher Anjem Choudary’s public speaking ban lifted
July 17, 2021 By Faith Matters

Radical preacher Anjem Choudary’s public speaking ban lifted

A ban on radical preacher Anjem Choudary speaking in public is being lifted as licence conditions which were imposed after his release from prison come to an end. The extremist was jailed five years ago after being convicted of inviting support for the Islamic State terror group, and he left Belmarsh high-security jail on licence […]

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Police facing ‘toxic mix’ of mental health issues and online extremism
July 7, 2021 By Faith Matters

Police facing ‘toxic mix’ of mental health issues and online extremism

Counter-terrorism police are facing “a toxic mix” of mental health issues and online radicalisation as the country comes out of lockdown, a senior officer has warned. Commander Richard Smith, head of the Metropolitan Police Counter-Terrorism Command, said young people in particular had been left at greater risk of online radicalisation during lockdown. Giving evidence to […]

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