Author archives: Faith Matters

Harry urges the world to take action against systemic racism
August 10, 2020 By Faith Matters

Harry urges the world to take action against systemic racism

The Duke of Sussex said more action is needed to root out systemic racism in society, as he described current efforts as “bringing a bucket of water to a forest fire”. He made the comments in an interview with Rashad Robinson, president of Colour of Change – a non-profit civil rights advocacy organisation in the […]

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Kwame Kwei-Armah says a woman removed her mask to cough in his son’s face
August 10, 2020 By Faith Matters

Kwame Kwei-Armah says a woman removed her mask to cough in his son’s face

Young Vic theatre boss Kwame Kwei-Armah has said a woman removed her mask to cough in the face of his 15-year-old son on public transport. The director and playwright, who is black, said the white woman said to her son: “This is what you people do.” He added that his son has since tested negative […]

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A teacher’s tale on surviving the atomic blast in Hiroshima captured on audio
August 6, 2020 By Faith Matters

A teacher’s tale on surviving the atomic blast in Hiroshima captured on audio

On August 6 1945, a Japanese school teacher was having her breakfast when, after a bright flash of light, she was buried in the darkness beneath a pile of rubble that once stood as her home. She was still in her nightdress when she was dragged out of the pile of bricks by a neighbour […]

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Sir Elton John and David Furnish back music industry anti-racism initiative
August 5, 2020 By Faith Matters

Sir Elton John and David Furnish back music industry anti-racism initiative

Sir Elton John and David Furnish have backed a campaign calling for the end of “racism and hatred” in the music industry. The veteran singer-songwriter, 73, and his husband, 57, are among some 700 artists, producers, songwriters and record labels to have signed a letter titled No Silence In Music. The Rocket Man star shared […]

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Indian PM lays foundation stone of new temple at razed mosque site
August 5, 2020 By Faith Matters

Indian PM lays foundation stone of new temple at razed mosque site

Hindus have rejoiced as Indian prime minister Narendra Modi broke ground on a long-awaited temple of their most revered god Ram at the site of a demolished 16th century mosque. Mr Modi offered prayers to nine stone blocks with “lord Ram” inscribed on them amid chanting of Hindu religious hymns to symbolise the start of […]

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Amnesty International ‘very concerned’ for welfare of academic held in Iran
August 5, 2020 By Faith Matters

Amnesty International ‘very concerned’ for welfare of academic held in Iran

Amnesty International says they are “very concerned” for the welfare of a British-Australian academic who is being held in detention in one of Iran’s most notorious prisons. Kylie Moore-Gilbert, who was most recently a lecturer in Islamic studies at Melbourne University, had originally been held in Tehran’s Evin prison since she was reportedly given a […]

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Charity reports streets wiped out by Beirut explosion
August 5, 2020 By Faith Matters

Charity reports streets wiped out by Beirut explosion

A charity has reported entire streets wiped out following a large explosion in Lebanon. At least 50 people have been killed and 2,700 injured by the blast near Beirut’s harbour on Tuesday evening. Authorities in Lebanon are yet to announce the cause of the explosion. Save the Children said in a statement that members of […]

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Lammy says Twitter must get ‘much faster at removing hate’ after racist abuse
August 3, 2020 By Faith Matters

Lammy says Twitter must get ‘much faster at removing hate’ after racist abuse

Labour MP David Lammy has told Twitter it must get “much faster at removing hate” after a delay to deleting racist abuse targeted at him. The shadow justice secretary said on Monday that it took more than 13 hours for the social media giant to act before it suspended the perpetrator’s account. Home Secretary Priti […]

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Police investigating racially-aggravated hit-and-run as ‘matter of urgency’
August 2, 2020 By Faith Matters

Police investigating racially-aggravated hit-and-run as ‘matter of urgency’

A racially-aggravated hit-and-run attack on an NHS worker is being investigated by officers “as a matter of urgency”, a police and crime commissioner has said. The 21-year-old, who wishes only to be referred to as K or his stage name Kdogg, was walking to a bus stop after finishing work at Southmead Hospital in Bristol […]

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Police officer suspected of etching swastika onto colleague’s belongings
July 20, 2020 By Faith Matters

Police officer suspected of etching swastika onto colleague’s belongings

A police officer in Manchester is suspected of emblazoning a colleague’s belongings with a swastika. Greater Manchester Police said it has sparked an “internal investigation” after the “disgraceful and disgusting act”, which has been declared a hate crime. Detectives and professional standards are treating the incident “incredibly seriously” after the unnamed officer began his or […]

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