Pope Benedict XVI denounced fundamentalist fanaticism in his address to a variety of figures, including Muslim leaders, at the start of a French pilgrimage at Lourdes. Over the course of Benedict XVI’s visit to France, he has emphasized the importance of religion in shaping public policy, a stand which has enraged some of the country’s…
The alleged leader of a gang of eight men accused of plotting to blow up transatlantic planes in mid-air today told a court his intentions had been “taken out of proportion”. Abdulla Ahmed Ali said he expected to go to prison for planning to detonate a device at Heathrow airport’s terminal three. However, the 27-year-old…
A nationwide “deradicalisation” programme is being developed to tackle people who have been drawn into Islamist violent extremism in Britain, the government will reveal today. The Home Office said the strategy was needed to help bring back those who had “already crossed the line” in terms of ideology and outlook, but not yet committed any…
Mark Thompson, the Director General of the BBC, tonight warned broadcasters against becoming overly-cautious in their reporting on Islam for fear of causing offence to Muslims. Speaking at Westminster Cathedral Mr Thompson, a practising Catholic, said there was a growing nervousness about discussion about Islam and its relationship to the traditions and values of British…
Husbands involved in forced marriages could face prosecution for rape under tough new laws being planned by leading Scottish Asians. As many as 300 young women are believed to be coerced into marriage against their will annually in Scotland, with violence and even murder being the result in a small number of cases. England is…
