Poland has recently provided a safe haven to a family of asylum-seekers from Thailand, persecuted on religious grounds in their country of origin, which in their testimony appears to be very different from the image of a paradisiac land for Western tourists. Their application is currently being examined by the Polish authorities.
Hadee Laepankaeo (51), his wife Sunee Satanga (45) and their daughter Nadia Satanga who are now in Poland are members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. They were persecuted in Thailand because their beliefs are in conflict with the constitution but also with the local Shia community.
After being arrested and harshly treated in Turkey, the family decided to attempt to cross the border and seek refuge in Bulgaria. They were in the group of 104 members of the Ahmadi Religion of Light and Peace who were arrested at the border and beaten by the Turkish police before being detained for months in refugee camps in appalling conditions.
The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light is a new religious movement that finds its roots in Twelver Shia Islam. It was founded in 1999.It is headed by Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq and follows the teachings of Imam Ahmed al-Hassan as its divine guide. It is not to be confused with the Ahmadiyya Community founded in the 19th century by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad within a Sunni context, with which it has no relations.
Alexandra Foreman, a British journalist who covered the issue of 104 members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, investigated the roots of that religious persecution in Thailand. What follows is the result of her inquiry.
The conflict between the Thai constitution and the beliefs of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light
Hadee and his family had to leave Thailand because it had become an increasingly dangerous place for believers in the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. The country’s lese-majeste law, Article 112 of the criminal code, stands as one of the world’s strictest statutes against insulting the monarchy. This law has been implemented with increasing rigour since the military’s assumption of power in 2014, leading to harsh jail sentences for numerous individuals.
The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light teaches that only God can appoint the ruler, which has led to many Thai believers being targeted and arrested under Lese-majeste. Furthermore chapter 2, section 7 of the constitution of Thailand designates the King as a Buddhist and calls him the “Upholder of religions”.
Members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light encounter a fundamental conflict due to their belief system, as their religious doctrine maintains that the upholder of religion is their spiritual leader, Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem, thereby creating an ideological incongruence with the designated role of the King within the state’s framework.
Additionally under chapter 2, section 6 of the constitution of Thailand “The King shall be enthroned in a position of revered worship”. Adherents of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light are unable to offer worship to the King of Thailand due to their fundamental belief that only God and His divinely appointed vicegerent are deserving of such reverence. Consequently, they deem the assertion of the King’s entitlement to worship as illegitimate and incompatible with their religious doctrine.
Even though the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light is an officially registered religion in the United States and Europe – it is however not an official religion in Thailand and is therefore not protected. The law of Thailand officially recognizes only five religious groups: Buddhists, Muslims, Brahmin-Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians, and in practice the government as a matter of policy will not recognize any new religious groups outside the five umbrella groups. To receive such a status the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light would need to get permission from the other five recognised religions. This is however impossible as Muslim groups consider this religion heretical, due to some it’s beliefs such as the abrogation of the five daily prayers, the Kaaba being in Petra (Jordan) and not Mecca, and that the Qur’an has corruptions.
Hadee Laepankaeo, personally persecuted on the grounds of lèse-majesté
Hadee Laepankaeo, who has been a believer in the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light for six years, was previously an active political activist as part of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship, commonly known as the “red shirt” group, advocating against the authority of the Thai monarchy. When Hadee embraced the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, Thai religious scholars associated with the government found it a prime opportunity to frame him under the lese-majeste laws and instigate the government against him. The situation became increasingly dangerous when the believers found themselves targeted by death threats from Shia followers associated with Sayyid Sulaiman Husaini who believed they could act with impunity, without fear of legal repercussions.
Tensions heightened significantly after the release in December 2022 of “the Goal of the Wise,” the Gospel of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. This text, critical of the Iranian clergy’s rule and its absolute power, triggered a global wave of persecution against members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. In Thailand, scholars with ties to the Iranian regime felt threatened by the scripture’s content and began lobbying the Thai government against the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. They sought to implicate Hadee and fellow believers with lèse-majesté charges under Article 112 of the Thai Criminal Code.
In December, Hadee delivered speeches on Paltalk in Thai, discussing “The Goal of the Wise ” and advocating for the belief that the only legitimate ruler is one appointed by God.
On December 30, 2022, Hadee faced a troubling encounter when a secret government unit arrived at his residence. Forced outside, Hadee was physically assaulted, resulting in injuries including the loss of a tooth. Accused of lèse-majesté, he received threats of violence and was warned against further disseminating his religious beliefs.
Subsequently, he was detained for two days in an undisclosed location resembling a safe house, enduring daily mistreatment. Fearing further persecution, Hadee refrained from seeking medical assistance for his injuries, fearing reprisals from authorities who already deemed him a threat to the monarchy. Concerns for his family’s safety led Hadee, his wife, and their daughter, Nadia, to flee Thailand for Turkey on January 23, 2023, seeking refuge among like-minded believers.
Incitement to hate and to kill by a Shia scholar
The Thai members of the Ahmadi Religion have also faced a campaign of persecution from religious groups that are very influential in Thailand, with strong ties to the government and the King especially.
Many fundamentalist Muslims are led by prominent Shia scholar Sayid Sulaiman Huseyni who delivered a series of directives aimed at inciting violence against members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. “If you encounter them, hit them with a wooden stick,” he said and asserted that “The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light is the enemy of the religion. It is forbidden to do any religious activities together. Do not do any activities with them, such as sitting and laughing or eating together, or else you will share the sins of this misguidance too.” Sayid Sulaiman Huseyni ended the sermon by making a prayer that if members of the Ahmadi religion do not repent and leave the religion, then God should “eliminate them all.”
No safe future for the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in Thailand
The government persecution against members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light climaxed when 13 of their members were arrested during a peaceful march in Had Yai, Songkhla Province, South Thailand on May 14th, 2023. Their members were then decrying the strict lèse-majesté laws and the lack of freedom to proclaim their faith in Thailand. During interrogation they were told that they are prohibited from ever publicly proclaiming or manifesting their beliefs again.
Since his departure, Hadee’s siblings remaining in Thailand have faced harassment from the secret police, subjected to questioning about his whereabouts. This pressure prompted them to sever contact with Hadee out of fear of further harassment by Thai authorities.
By St. Nicholas Kavasila, From “Three sermons on the Virgin”
The remarkable Hesychast author of the 14th century St. Nicholas Kavasila (1332-1371) dedicates this sermon to the Annunciation of the Holy Mother of God, revealing before us the Byzantine man’s view of the Mother of God. A sermon filled not only with ardent religious feeling, but also with deep dogmatics.
On the Annunciation of Our Blessed Lady and the Blessed Virgin Mary (Three Theotokos)
If man should ever rejoice and tremble, sing with thanksgiving, if there is a period that requires man to desire the greatest and the best, and makes him strive for the widest possible connection, the most beautiful utterance, and strongest word to sing his majesty, I do not see who else it can be but today’s feast. Because it was as if today an Angel came from heaven and heralded the beginning of all good things. Today the sky is magnified. Today the earth rejoices. Today all creation rejoices. And beyond this feast He who holds the sky in His hands does not remain. Because what is happening today is a real celebration. All meet in it, with equal joy. All live and give us the same joy: the Creator, all creations, the very mother of the Creator, who provided our nature and thus made Him partaker of our joyous gatherings and festivals. Above all, the Creator rejoices. Because he is a benefactor from the beginning, and from the beginning of creation, his work is to do good. He never needs anything and knows nothing but to give and benevolent. Today, however, without stopping His saving work, He passes in second place and comes among those who are favored. And he rejoices not so much for the great gifts that He bestows on creation and that reveal His generosity, but for the small things that He received from the favored, for thus it is clear that He is a lover of mankind. And He thinks that He is glorified not only by those things which He Himself gave to the poor slaves, but also by those which the poor gave Him. For even if He chose diminution over the divine glory and agreed to accept as a gift from us our human poverty, His wealth remained unchanged and turned our gift into an ornament and a kingdom.
For creation also—and by creation I mean not only that which is visible, but also that which is beyond the human eye—what could be a greater occasion of thanksgiving than to see its Creator coming into it and the Lord of all to take a place among the slaves? And this without emptying Himself of His authority, but becoming a slave, not rejecting (His) wealth, but giving it to the poor, and without falling from His heights, exalts the humble.
The Virgin also rejoices, for whose sake all these gifts were given to men. And he is happy for five reasons. Above all, as a person who participates, like everyone else, in the common goods. However, she also rejoices because the goods were given to her even before, even more perfect than to others, and even more because she is the reason that these gifts are given to everyone. The fifth and greatest reason for the Virgin’s rejoicing is that, not merely through her, God, but herself, thanks to the gifts which she knew and first saw, brought the resurrection of men.
2. For the Virgin is not like the earth, which formed man, but itself did nothing for his creation, and which was used as simple material by the Creator and simply “became” without “doing” anything. The Virgin realized in herself and gave to God all those things which attracted the Creator of the earth, which prompted His creative hand. And what are these things? Life blameless, life pure, denial of all evil, exercise of all virtues, soul purer than light, body perfect spiritual, brighter than the sun, purer than heaven, holier than cherubic thrones. A flight of the mind that does not stop before any height, that surpasses even the wings of angels. A divine eros that has swallowed up every other desire of the soul. God’s land, oneness with God that accommodates no human thought.
Thus, adorning her body and soul with such virtue, she was able to attract the gaze of God. Thanks to her beauty, she revealed a beautiful common human nature. And beat the trickster. And he became man because of the Virgin, who was hated among men because of sin.
3. And the “wall of enmity” and the “barrier” meant nothing to the Virgin, but all that separated mankind from God was done away with as far as she was concerned. Thus, even before the general reconciliation between God and the Virgin, peace reigned. Moreover, she had no need ever to make sacrifices for peace and reconciliation, for from the beginning she was first among friends. All these things happened because of others. And he was the Intercessor, “was an advocate for us before God,” to use Paul’s expression, lifting up to God for men not his hands, but his very life. And the virtue of one soul was sufficient to stop the evil of men of all ages. As the ark saved man in the general flood of the universe, did not take part in the calamities and saved the human race the possibility to continue, the same thing happened to the Virgin. She always kept her thought as untouched and holy, as if no sin had ever touched the earth, as if all remained true to what they ought, as if all still dwelt in paradise. He didn’t even feel the evil that was spilling over the whole earth. And the flood of sin, which spread everywhere and closed heaven, and opened hell, and dragged men into war with God, and expelled the Good from the earth, leading in His place the wicked, did not even touch the blessed Virgin a little. And while it ruled over the whole universe and disturbed and destroyed everything, evil was defeated by a single thought, by a single soul. And not only was it conquered by the Virgin, but thanks to her sin departed from the whole human race.
This was the Virgin’s contribution to the work of salvation, before the day came when God should, according to His eternal plan, bend the heavens and descend to the earth: from the moment she was born, she was building a shelter for Him who could to save man, he strove to make God’s abode beautiful, itself, so that it would be worthy of Him. Thus nothing was found to reproach the king’s palace. Moreover, the Virgin not only presented Him with a royal dwelling worthy of His majesty, but also prepared for Him of Herself a royal garment and a girdle, as David says, “benevolence,” “strength,” and “the kingdom” itself. As a splendid state, which surpasses all others in its size and beauty, in its high ideal and number of its inhabitants, in wealth and power, does not confine itself to receiving the king and rendering him hospitality, but becomes his country and power , and honor, and strength, and arms. So also the Virgin, receiving God in herself and giving Him her flesh, made it so that God appeared in the world and became for enemies an indestructible defeat, and for friends salvation and the source of all good things.
4. In this way she benefited the human race even before the time of general salvation came: But when the time came and the heavenly messenger appeared, she again took an active part in salvation by believing his words and consenting to accept the ministry, what God asked of her. Because this too was necessary and unquestionably necessary for our salvation. If the Virgin had not behaved like this, there would have been no hope left for humans. As I said earlier, it would not have been possible for God to look with favor on the human race and wish to come down to earth, if the Virgin had not prepared herself, if she was not there who was to welcome Him and who could serve for salvation. And again, it was not possible for the will of God to be fulfilled for our salvation if the Virgin had not believed in it and if she had not agreed to serve him. This becomes visible from the “rejoice” that Gabriel said to the Virgin and from the fact that he called her “gracious”, with which he ended his mission, revealed the whole secret. However, while the Virgin wanted to understand the way in which the conception would take place, God did not come down. While the moment she was convinced and accepted the invitation, the whole work was immediately accomplished: God took upon Himself as a garment man and the Virgin became the mother of the Creator.
Even more amazing is this: God neither warned Adam nor persuaded him to give his rib from which Eve was to be created. He put him to sleep and thus, taking away his senses, took away his part. Whereas, in order to create the New Adam, He taught the Virgin in advance and awaited her faith and acceptance. In the creation of Adam, He again consults His only begotten Son, saying, “We have made man.” But when the firstborn was to “enter,” that “wonderful Counselor” “into the universe,” as Paul says, and create the second Adam, he took the Virgin as his co-worker in his decision. Thus that great “decision” of God, of which Isaiah speaks, was announced by God and confirmed by the Virgin. Thus the Incarnation of the Word was the work not only of the Father, who “favored,” and of His Power, who “overshadowed,” and of the Holy Spirit, who “indwelled,” but also of the desire and faith of the Virgin. Because without them it was not possible to exist and to propose to people the solution for the incarnation of the Word, likewise without the desire and faith of the Pure One it was impossible for God’s solution to be realized.
5. After God had thus guided and persuaded her, He then made her His mother. Thus the flesh was given by a man who wanted to give it and knew why he was doing it. Because the same thing that happened to Him was to happen to the Virgin. As He willed and “came down”, so she was to conceive and become a mother, not under compulsion, but with all her free will. For she had – and this is much more important – not only to participate in the construction of our salvation as something moved from without, which is simply used, but to offer herself and become God’s co-worker in the care of the human race so, that she might have a share with Him and be a partaker of the glory that arose from this love of humanity. Then, since the Savior was not only a man in the flesh and a son of man, but also had a soul, and mind, and will, and everything human, it was necessary to have a perfect mother who would serve His birth not only with the nature of the body, but also with mind and will, and her whole being: to be a mother both in flesh and in soul, to bring the whole person into the unspoken birth.
This is the reason why the Virgin, before giving herself to the service of God’s mystery, believes, wants and wishes to fulfill it. But this also happened because God wanted to make visible the virtue of the Virgin. That is to say, how great was her faith and how high was her way of thought, how unaffected was her mind and how great was her soul—things which were revealed by the way in which the Virgin received and believed the paradoxical word of the Angel: that God would come indeed on earth and will personally see to our salvation, and that she will be able to serve, taking an active part in this work. The fact that she first asked for an explanation and was convinced is a shining proof that she knew herself very well and saw nothing greater, nothing more worthy of her desire. Moreover, the fact that God wished to reveal her virtue proves that the Virgin knew very well the greatness of God’s goodness and humanity. It is clear that precisely because of this she was not directly enlightened by God, so that it would be fully discovered that her faith, by which she lived close to God, was a voluntary expression of hers, and that they would not think that everything that happened was the result of the power of the persuasive God. For as those who believe who have not seen and believed are more blessed than those who want to see, so also those who have believed the messages which the Lord sent them through his servants have more jealousy than those who had He needed to convince them personally. The consciousness that she had nothing in her soul unfit for the sacrament, and that her temper and customs were perfectly suited to it, so that she did not mention any human frailty, nor doubt how all this would come to pass, nor discuss at all the ways which would have led her to purity, nor did she need a secret guide—all these things I do not know whether we may consider them to belong to created nature.
For even if he were a cherub or a seraphim, or something much purer than these angelic creatures, how could he bear that voice? How could he think it possible to do what he was told? How would she find strength sufficient for these mighty deeds? And John, than whom “there was none greater” among men, according to the estimation of the Savior Himself, did not think himself worthy to touch even His shoes, and that, when the Savior appeared in poor human nature. Until the Immaculate One dared to take in her womb the very Word of the Father, the very hypostasis of God, before it had yet diminished. “What am I and my father’s house? Will you save Israel through me, Lord?” These words you may hear from the righteous, although they have been called many times to deeds and many have performed them. While the angel called upon the blessed Virgin to do something quite unusual, something that was not in accordance with human nature, that exceeded logical understanding. And indeed, what else did she ask but to raise the earth to the sky, to move and change, using herself as a means, the universe? But her mind was not disturbed, nor did she think herself unworthy of this work. But as nothing disturbs the eyes when light approaches, and as it is not strange for someone to say that as soon as the sun rises it is day, so the Virgin was not at all confused when she understood that she would be able to receive and conceive the unfit in all places God. And he did not let the words of the angel pass unexamined, nor was he carried away by the many praises. But he concentrated his prayer and studied the salutation with all his attention, desiring to understand exactly the manner of the conception, as well as everything connected with it. But beyond that, she is not at all interested in asking whether she herself is capable and suitable for such a high ministry, whether her body and soul are so purified. He marvels at the miracles that surpass nature and overlooks everything related to her preparedness. Therefore, he asked for an explanation of the first from Gabriel, while she knew the second herself. The Virgin found the courage to God within herself, because, as John says, “her heart did not condemn her”, but “witnessed” to her.
6. “How will this be done?” she asked. Not because I myself need more purity and greater holiness, but because it is a law of nature that those who, like me, have chosen the path of virginity cannot conceive. “How will this happen, he asked, when I am not in a relationship with a man?” I, of course, she continues, am ready to accept God. I have prepared enough. But tell me, will nature agree, and in what way? And then, as soon as Gabriel told her about the way of the paradoxical conception with the famous words: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you”, and explained everything to her, the Virgin no longer doubts the angel’s message that she is blessed, both for those so wonderful things which she served, and for those in which she believed, viz., that she would be worthy to accept this ministry. And this was not the fruit of levity. It was a manifestation of the wonderful and secret treasure that the Virgin hid within herself, a treasure filled with supreme prudence, faith and purity. This was revealed by the Holy Spirit, calling the Virgin “blessed” – precisely because she accepted the news and did not find it difficult at all to believe the heavenly messages.
John’s mother, as soon as her soul was filled with the Holy Spirit, comforted her, saying: “Blessed is she who believes that the things which the Lord told her will come to pass.” And the Virgin herself said of herself, answering the Angel: “Here is the handmaid of the Lord.” For she is truly a servant of the Lord who so deeply understood the secret of what is to come. She who “as soon as the Lord came” immediately opened the home of her soul and body and gave Him who before her was truly homeless, a real abode among men.
At that moment something similar to what happened to Adam happened. While all the visible universe was created for his sake, and all other creatures had found their suitable companion, Adam alone did not find, before Eve, a suitable helpmate. So also for the Word, who brought all things into being, and assigned to every creature its proper place, there was no place, no abode before the Virgin. The virgin, however, did not give “sleep to her eyes, nor weariness to her eyelids” until she gave Him shelter and a place. For the words spoken by the mouth of David, we must consider as the voice of the Pure One, because he is the progenitor of her line.
7. But the greatest and most paradoxical thing of all is that, without knowing anything beforehand, without any warning, she was so well prepared for the sacrament that, as soon as God suddenly appeared, she was able to receive Him as she should – with a ready, awake and unwavering soul. All men were to know of her prudence, by which the blessed Virgin always lived, and how much higher than human nature she was, how unique, how greater than all that men could comprehend—she who kindled in her soul so strong a love for God, not because she had been warned of what was about to happen to her and in which she was about to take part, but because of the general gifts which were given or would be given by God to men. For as Job was favored not so much for the patience which he showed in his sufferings, as because he knew not what would be given him in recompense for this struggle of patience, so she showed herself worthy to receive the gifts which surpass human logic, because he did not know (about them beforehand). It was a marriage bed without waiting for the Bridegroom. It was the sky, although he did not know that the Sun would rise from it.
Who can conceive of this greatness? And what would she be like if she knew everything in advance and had the wings of hope? But why wasn’t she informed in advance? Perhaps because it thus makes it clear that there was nowhere else for her to go, since she had climbed all the peaks of holiness, and that there was nothing she could add to what she already had, nor could to become better in virtue, since she had reached the very top? For if there were such things and they were practicable, if there were but one more summit of virtue, the Virgin would know it, for that was the reason why she was born, and because God was teaching her, so that she might subdue that summit as well. , in order to be better prepared for the ministry of the sacrament. It was her ignorance that revealed her excellence—she who, though lacking the things that could impel her to virtue, so perfected her soul that she was chosen by the just God out of all human nature. Nor is it natural for God not to adorn His mother with all good things, and not to create her in the best and perfect manner.
8. The fact that He kept silent and told her nothing of what was about to happen, proves that He knew nothing better or greater than what He had seen the Virgin accomplish. And here again we see that He chose for His mother not just the best among other women, but the perfect one. She was not merely more suitable than the rest of the human race, but she was the one who was perfectly suited to be His mother. For doubtless it was necessary at one time for the nature of men to become fit for the work for which it was created. In other words, to give birth to a person who will be able to serve the Creator’s purpose worthily. We, of course, do not find it difficult to violate the purpose for which the various tools were created by using them for one activity or another. However, the Creator did not set a goal for human nature in the beginning, which he then changed. From the first moment he created her so that when she should be born, he would take her as a mother for Himself. And having originally given this task to human nature, he subsequently created man using this clear purpose as a rule. Therefore, it was necessary that a man should appear someday who could fulfill this purpose. It is not permissible for us not to regard as the purpose of man’s creation the best of all, the one who will give the Creator the greatest honor and praise, nor can we think that God can in any way fail in things, which he creates. This is certainly out of the question, since even masons and tailors and shoemakers manage to create their creations always according to the end they want, although they do not have complete control over matter. And although the material they use does not always obey them, although it sometimes resists them, they manage by their art to subdue it and push it to their goal. If they succeed, how much more natural is it that God should succeed, Who is not merely the ruler of matter, but its Creator, Who, when He created it, knew how He would use it. What could prevent human nature from conforming in all things to the purpose for which God created it? It is God who rules the household. And this is precisely His greatest work, the preeminent work of His hands. And its accomplishment He entrusted to no man or Angel, but kept it to Himself. Is it not logical that God takes more care than any other craftsman to observe the necessary rules in creation? And when it comes to not just anything, but the best of His creations? To whom else would God provide if not to Himself? And indeed Paul asks the bishop (who is, as is known, an image of God) before taking care of the common good, to arrange everything that has a connection with himself and his household.
9. When all these things happened in one place: the most just Ruler of the universe, the most suitable minister of God’s plan, the best of all the works of the Creator through the ages – how could anything necessary be lacking? Because it is necessary to preserve harmony and complete symphony in everything, and nothing should be inappropriate for this great and wonderful work. Because God is preeminently just. He Who created all things as they should, and “weigheth all things in the balances of His justice.” As an answer to all that God’s justice wanted, the Virgin, the only one fit for it, gave her Son. And she became the mother of the One to whom it was in all fairness to become a mother. And even if there was no other benefit from the fact that God became the son of man, we can argue that the fact that it was in all fairness that the Virgin should become the mother of God was sufficient to cause the incarnation of the Word. And that God cannot fail to give to each of his creatures what suits him, i.e. always acts according to his justice, this fact alone was a sufficient reason to bring about this new mode of existence of the two natures.
For if the Immaculate One observed all the things which she was bound to observe, if she revealed herself as a man so grateful that she missed nothing of what she owed, then how could God be just as fair? If the Virgin omitted none of those things which may reveal the mother of God, and loved Him with such intense love, that it would of course be perfectly incredible that God should not consider it His duty to give her an equal recompense, to become her Son. And let us say again, if God gives to evil masters according to their desire, how will He not take for His mother the one who always and in everything agreed with His desire? This gift was so kind and suitable for the blessed one. Therefore, when Gabriel clearly told her that she would give birth to God Himself – for this was made clear by his words, that the One who would be born “shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end” and the Virgin accepted the news with joy, as if he were hearing something common, something that was not at all strange, nor inconsistent with what usually happens. And so, with a blessed tongue, with a soul free from worries, with thoughts full of peace, she said: “Here is the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word.”
10. He said this and immediately everything happened. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Thus, as soon as the Virgin answered God, she immediately received from Him the Spirit Who creates that godlike flesh. Her voice was “the voice of power,” as David says. And so, with a mother’s word the Word of the Father took shape. And with the voice of creation, the Creator builds. And just as, when God said “let there be light,” immediately there was light, so immediately with the voice of the Virgin the true Light arose and united with human flesh, and He who enlightens “every man coming into the world” was conceived. O holy voice! Oh, words that you did such greatness! Oh, blessed language, which in a single moment summoned the whole universe from exile! Oh, treasure of the pure soul, who with her few words has spread over us such imperishable goods! For these words turned the earth into heaven and emptied Hell, releasing the imprisoned. They made heaven inhabited by men and brought the angels so close to men that they entwined the heavenly and the human race in a unique dance around the One who is both at the same time, around the One who, being God, became man.
For these words of yours, what gratitude will be worthy of offering you? What shall we call you, since among men there is nothing equal to you? For our words are earthly, till thou hast passed all the summits of the world. Therefore, if words of praise must be addressed to you, it must be the work of the angels, the mind of the cherubim, in a tongue of fire. Therefore, we too, having remembered as much as we could, your achievements and sung to the best of our ability to you, our very salvation, now want to find an angelic voice. And we come to the greeting of Gabriel, thus honoring our entire sermon: “Rejoice, blessed one, the Lord is with you!”.
But grant us, Virgin, not only to speak of the things that bring honor and glory to Him and to you, who gave birth to Him, but also to practice them. Prepare us to become His dwelling places, for to Him belongs the glory throughout the ages. Amen.
The argument is often made about food, as well as about dozens of other “strategic goods”, that we must be self-sufficient in the face of threats to peace around the world.
The argument itself is very old, old enough for the self-sufficiency argument, as well as the feasibility of actually being self-sufficient, to have finally graduated to the status of political myth. Yet this is, unfortunately, a myth that refuses to die. One that continuously puts European nations on the path towards fragile supply chains.
The conflict in Ukraine has disrupted Black Sea agricultural exports, pushing prices higher, and exacerbating high energy and fertilizer costs. As major exporters of grain and vegetable oil, conflict around the Black Sea is significantly disrupting shipping.
In Sudan, the combined effects of conflict, economic crisis, and poor harvests are significantly affecting people’s access to food and have doubled the number of people facing acute hunger in Sudan to around 18 million. The higher grain prices from the war in Ukraine was the final nail.
If fighting in Gaza escalates across the Middle East, (which, fortunately, is looking less likely) it could spark a second energy crisis which could send food and fuel prices spiralling. The World Bank warned that if the conflict were to intensify, it could result in significant price hikes for oil and exacerbate food insecurity, both within the Middle East and globally.
It should be obvious that the most secure food supply, steel supply or fuel supply is one that draws from as many sources as possible, so that if one dries up, or is caught up in a military or diplomatic calamity, then the supply is able to be recovered by increasing trade through the many alternative channels. Its how Qatar, cut off during the blockade in 2017, was able to continue largely unaffected despite being shut off from all its neighbours and producing itself almost no food at all.
The myth’s enduring popularity largely is down to the way it interacts with our basic human psychology. Most of our mental heuristics are learn for much more simplistic problems. The way we’ve learnt to survive is by hoarding and sitting on as large a pile of food as possible. We’re also naturally disinclined to trust our neighbours, let alone rely on them.
Breaking though our prehistoric instincts and embracing what are therefore the counter-intuitive tenets of free trade is thus quite a tall order. Perhaps it explains why free trade remains so unpopular compared to protectionism despite the overwhelmingly positive record that free trade can claim for itself, singlehandedly lifting billions out of poverty.
Convincing the current generation of European politicians to diversify their food supply will always be hard – but the gains are massive if they can see the light.
Regions like Latin America and Southeast Asia stand out as regions where the EU does far too little strategic trade. Being in different hemispheres means that the seasons are opposite (or have massively different climates in the case of Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia), so the benefits to mutual supply chains are naturally complementary. Such countries are primed for mutually beneficial trade to boost strategic security.
Countries like Argentina produce large amounts of meat, something the EU sanitary and phytosanitary rules (SPS) make much more difficult to import than it need be. Malaysia is the world’s largest exporter of palm oil, producing the oils and fats needed across dozens of food categories. Compared to other main oilseeds, such as soybean, rapeseed, and sunflower, which can be grown domestically, oil palm is the highest-yielding oil crop. Making it cheaper and easier to import would mean food security in times of instability, and cheaper staples in times of peace by driving down costs.
More trade also means more influence and more transparency in supply chains. Taking the Malays as an example again, their agrifood industry is embracing the use of blockchain technology and traceability to prove that their products are environmentally friendly and deforestation-free. Trade makes economically viable massive environmental efforts to protect the environment. Conversely, it creates interdependence with regions around the world which reduce the likelihood of conflict or international rulebreaking generally.
The great French economist Frédéric Bastiat wrote that ““When goods don’t cross borders, Soldiers will”. He observed the power of interdependence as a peacekeeper. Diversifying trade is therefore both preparation and prevention. Politicians must overcome their primitive instincts and let the goods flow.
KingNewswire. Austin, Texas (USA) The Ideal Church of Scientology’s grand opening in Austin, Texas, last February 24th, signifies a major expansion, emphasizing spiritual freedom and community service. Located centrally on The Drag, the Church offers spiritual counseling and community programs, receiving praise from local leaders for its contributions to drug education and interfaith cooperation. Led by Mr. David Miscavige, this event marks a key step in the Church’s global growth, highlighting its commitment to positive community impact and spiritual awareness.
Brussels, Brussels, Belgium, 27th Feb 2024 – In a vibrant celebration of Texas freedom, the capital city of Austin witnessed a significant moment in its history with the opening of the new Ideal Church of Scientology Austin. The event, marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony, took place on a clear Saturday afternoon on the city’s main social corridor, The Drag, amidst an elated crowd of Scientologists and guests. This grand opening is the first of many scheduled for 2024, symbolizing the unabated growth of Scientology.
The new Church, situated across from the University of Texas, stands as a beacon of spiritual freedom. With its street-level, floor-to-ceiling windows, the Church invites passers-by to explore what it has to offer. The Grand Opening day was a lively affair, with tours of the Church extending from the afternoon into the evening.
The dedication ceremony was highlighted by a Texas-sized ovation for Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center, who described the new Church as a shining star in the “country of Texas.” Joined by parishioners who contributed to the establishment of this Ideal Church, Mr. Miscavige cut through a red, white, and blue ribbon, marking the official opening.
The ceremony was not just a celebration but also a reflection on the spirit of Texas. Mr. Miscavige reminded the audience of the words of a famous Texan, drawing parallels between the pioneering spirit of the past and the mission of the Church today to settle the “line of country” of the human spirit.
Voices of Unity and Commitment
The event featured speeches from local leaders and advocates, each highlighting the Church’s role in the community and its broader humanitarian missions.
Mr. Mike McHone, Vice-President of the University Area Partners Association, praised the Church’s contribution to the community, emphasizing the collaborative effort to create a thriving, active community in the University area.
Mr. Sam Price, a Texas Drug Education Advocate, acknowledged the Church-sponsored Drug-Free World program’s impact, crediting it with providing thousands with the choice to live drug-free.
Ms. Simone Talma Flowers, Executive Director of Interfaith Action of Central Texas, spoke on the importance of bridging divisions between different faiths and praised the Church for its role in building the largest interfaith movement in Central Texas. She highlighted the Church of Scientology’s commitment to fostering understanding and cooperation among diverse religious communities, which has significantly contributed to the region’s social fabric.
Mr. Nelson Linder, speaking on behalf of the Austin NAACP, expressed gratitude towards the Church for its strong voice and active participation in the community. He emphasized the shared goals of justice and equality, and how the Church’s efforts in Austin have helped turn these aspirations into reality, thereby enriching the community as a whole.
A New Chapter for Scientology in Austin
The establishment of the Ideal Church of Scientology in Austin marks a significant milestone. It not only serves as a spiritual home for Scientologists but opens its doors to the entire community, offering a venue for collaborative efforts aimed at uplifting all citizens, regardless of their denominations.
The Church features an array of facilities designed to meet the needs of parishioners and the community alike. The Public Information Center, with its extensive collection of films, provides an in-depth introduction to Dianetics and Scientology. The Hubbard Guidance Center offers one-on-one spiritual counseling, while the Purification Center addresses the mental and spiritual damage caused by drugs and toxins. The Academy trains auditors, spiritual counselors who assist others in achieving spiritual freedom.
Moreover, the Church’s location on The Drag, opposite the University of Texas, positions it at the heart of Austin’s social and cultural life, making it a hub for community engagement and humanitarian initiatives.
A Global Expansion
The opening of the Ideal Church of Scientology Austin is part of a global expansion plan. Throughout 2024, new Ideal Churches are set to open across the United States and around the world, reflecting the growing interest in Scientology and its humanitarian missions.
This expansion also includes the launch of the Scientology Network, a satellite TV channel that broadcasts the message of Scientology across the globe, furthering the Church’s outreach and engagement with a wider audience.
The Ideal Church of Scientology in Austin stands as a testament to the Church’s commitment to spiritual freedom, community service, and humanitarian work. Its opening marks a new chapter in the Church’s mission to help individuals achieve greater spiritual awareness and freedom, while also serving as a catalyst for positive change in the community and beyond.
For more information about the Church of Scientology Austin and its programs, or to visit the new Ideal Church, interested individuals are encouraged to explore the Church’s official website or visit the Church in person.
When on November 19, 1978, from a bird’s eye view we were able to see on television the atrocious images of the murder-suicide of the members of the People’s Temple Church, led and directed by the Reverend Jim Jones, something changed in the vision and respect that Europe had for the beliefs of others.
That story began when American Congressman Leo Ryan heard about the conditions in which the followers of the American Reverend Jim Jones lived in Guyana. Apparently he had them subjected to a regime of semi-slavery, where women were sexually abused, beatings were administered to the dissatisfied and where, apparently, children were also tortured. Since the Cooperative Republic of Guyana is so close to the United States, located on the northern coast of South America, Congressman Ryan organized a visit to that place for November 17, 1978, when his helicopter landed in the track prepared for this within the limits of the Church, the Reverend Jones, who had tried by all means to prevent the visit, received him, failing to succeed, with a great party, where at first glance everyone seemed to be happy.
However, when Congressman Ryan was heading to his helicopter to leave the next day, November 18, the atmosphere of joy changed when several members of the Church headed toward him and the helicopter with the intention of leaving, which provoked the wrath of Reverend Jones, who ordered his trusted aides to open fire on the traitors and the congressman’s entourage. A trusted member of the Church stabbed Congressman Ryan on the spot. At that moment five people were shot to death without any kind of consideration. The rest of the people present there were forced to return to their cabins in Jonestown, the name given to the town where they lived in what was known as the Mutual Beneficial Agricultural Community.
That same day, Jim Jones understood that the fascist forces, after the assassination of Congressman Ryan, would put an end to his project and, filled with anger, without a hint of regret, he decided that everyone would immolate themselves with cyanide. Many of the members, especially those who had families, children, refused and were then shot to death. Nine hundred and twelve people died that day, among whom were found around two hundred and fifty minors, including babies and children, who were undoubtedly murdered.
What happened there went around the world, but it was really a sect or people subjected to the charisma of a narcissistic sociopath with pretenses of a Messiah Complex.
It is very likely that when Reverend Jim Jones received the Martin Luther King Jr. Award in San Francisco in 1977, no one thought that his project in Guyana would end like this just a year later.
The people who followed him were surely looking for a better, calmer life, within a framework of beliefs acceptable to their way of life. They were adults who consciously decided to modify their social regime and begin a life together, in a commune, emulating the hippie movements that still exist today in some places in the United States and the beliefs of the first Christians, without knowing who fell into the clutches of a mentally ill person with the aforementioned characteristics.
Was that a sect? Let’s analyze the facts.
Today, after almost forty years of research on these religious phenomena, I have reached two conclusions. The first is that those referred to as sects or destructive sects, as such, do not exist, and the second is that human beings are afraid of future events and this disables them from applying a certain form of critical analysis to their beliefs.
The Peoples Temple of the Disciples of Christ (The People’s Temple of the Disciples of Christ) was founded by the American religious pastor Jim Jones in Indianapolis, Indiana. For nearly 27 years he went unnoticed in the different places in the United States where he settled. In its best moments, it had nearly 5,000 members, who entered and left the different places where said center was established.
In 1960 Jim Jones moved his Church to California, and immediately attracted the attention of members of the hippie movement, that American subculture so widespread in those years on the west coast of the United States. Having grown up in a family that was not very tolerant and racist, his own father was a member of the Ku Klux Klan, his religious philosophy was, however, very permissive. Blacks and homosexuals were admitted, something unusual at that time in the radical churches that emerged like mushrooms under the protection of legislation, which I envied, was permissive and allowed freedom of worship, whatever it was, including some beliefs that were still difficult to digest in today, such as the registration of the Church of Satan in the registry of religious entities of the state of California in the mid-60s.
That religious movement, never considered a sect or destructive sect, had as its philosophical amalgam issues drawn from communism, Christianity and Buddhism, which were very well received by all its members who entered or left it. Civil rights activists, African-American groups and countless figures of the time always considered him as a person who was easy-going and tolerant of all those who came to his church. Without a doubt, if the events of September 18, 1978 had not happened, today its Temple in Guyana would be a subject of study by all those interested in learning more about the assembly and innovative movements that emerged in those years in different parts. of the world.
However, and despite the fact that in 1977, as I mentioned previously, he was awarded the Martin Luther King Jr. Prize in San Francisco, deserved for his work in favor of the black community in the United States. Everything had changed when he arrived. with his followers to Jonestown (Jones City). A pompous name because he personalized his church project. There the People’s Temple of the Disciples of Christ disappeared, to become his personal estate, his personal project. And in him, something changed. But not in his people.
His followers, many of whom had come with him from the US, continued to trust the person whose ideas had transformed their lives. They were people accustomed to an austere life, to putting everything in common, to working and contributing with their personal efforts whatever they achieved. They were even clear that Jones was not enriched by his efforts, given that he had a large personal fortune acquired over the years as an itinerant reverend, without ever having been accused of anything at all. But the capable leader failed.
What was the trigger that made Jones turn his town into a prison upon arriving in Guyana?
I must confess that I do not know and it would be lengthy to try to answer this question in the brief, although extensive, space of this article by bringing up another series of leaders, who at the same time and in adverse circumstances, were creating a personal movement that today It has become a great religious movement. The founder of Scientology comes to mind: LR Hubbard, whose project currently has more than 15 million followers around the world and growing. But that is another story that I will surely publish later.
Even though I must confess that I cannot be certain of something, allow me to conjecture based on the facts, something that has not been done to date. Nowadays and for many years now, even global intelligence services, including the FBI, Interpol, etc., do not bother to visualize such phenomena. They determine that they are sects without considering other issues, as in the case of that story, and that leads us to the creation of terrible errors that can end the credibility of many religious groups, as happened in Europe since the late 70s and even today.
First of all, many religious groups that emerged in those 50s and 60s were apocalyptic. And many of the people who joined them also thought like this, the Christian movements themselves continue to be so even today, without realizing that in the end it will be us with our actions that will end the planet, in whatever way. When Jim Jones ends his group in Guyana, he creates a commune that quickly becomes his ranch, as I mentioned before. And his beliefs become radicalized. That is his life’s work and it modifies his personal relationship with his followers, turning them into slaves. He creates a group of radical followers, which includes some of his children, arms them and puts them to watch the rest. He brings out his personality in a more radical way, according to some personality analysts consulted by the writer, inherited from his father and closes his eyes to the atrocities that could be committed in that environment that for him It was everything. Some members of his most personal group begin to convert that Jones city project into a slave estate. Women are raped, men are beaten and everyone is threatened.
In a very short time, the paradise they believed in becomes a hell from which they cannot escape. And in 1978, that fateful September 18, when the reverend sees that some of his members want to abandon the vital project that keeps him anchored to reality, he decides to assassinate a US congressman whom he and his inner circle intimate they had managed to deceive, and he makes the decision that a narcissistic sociopath would make to murder everyone.
Jim Jones becomes a serial killer and so do some of his followers in that more personal and powerful circle.
The facts were simple and the people did not commit suicide, because they were not imbeciles, they were believers who had the right to believe, but if they watch you with assault rifles and threaten to murder children and adolescents, you make the decision to drink what Let it be with the ultimate goal that nothing happens to them. But they did not take into account that some psychopaths, who most likely escaped after the massacre, did not want to leave too many witnesses.
That there were people who decided to take a drink so they could be in heaven and reunite there with other loved ones? Sure. But Christians did not sacrifice themselves in Roman circuses and many of their saints have continued to do so throughout history. And that is why Christianity is not called a sect, or Islam for generating among its ranks people who immolate themselves, causing terrifying attacks.
Fanatics will always exist in all types of religious movements. Therefore, if we begin to observe the facts better and analyze the causes from a different point of view, perhaps we can begin to realize that the lion is not as fierce as they paint it, that people can believe in whatever they want if does not harm others, that there are people capable of manipulating from a religious, political, etc. point of view, and that we have to call this, perhaps, anomalous behavior, and look for it in all areas of life .
In the end, if we want to use the term sect, we must think that it only identifies a group of people who share the same idea or body of beliefs and who do not harm anyone. Everything else is already part of human behavior, which is certainly anomalous in its singularity.
A watch that was melted during the August 6, 1945, atomic bombing of Hiroshima has sold for more than $31,000 at auction, the Associated Press reported.
Its arrows stopped at the moment of the detonation of the atomic bomb over the Japanese city – at 8:15 a.m. local time, according to the organizers of the auction from the Boston auction house RR Auction. It was purchased for $31,113 by a customer who preferred to remain anonymous.
The watch was discovered amid the rubble after the Hiroshima attack by a British soldier on a mission to secure emergency supplies and assess the city’s reconstruction needs, auction organizers said.
The lot was offered at the auction along with other historically significant items. Among them was a check signed by George Washington – one of only two known checks signed by him as President of the United States ever offered at auction. It sold for US$135,472. A copy of the Little Red Book signed by Mao Zedong has sold for US$250,000.
Illustrative Photo by Armin Forster: https://www.pexels.com/photo/the-ruin-of-hiroshima-prefectural-industrial-promotion-hall-in-hiroshima-japan-6489033/
fresh americano oragne coffee from fresh making drink for relaxing in home
It sounds almost paradoxical, but it is Great Britain with companies like We Love Lucid (“We love a clear mind”) that is considered the leader of a phenomenon that is gaining strength and supporters – sober tourism, or dry tripping.
Because – if we continue with the imported terms – we usually associate British tourists with pub-crawling, balcony-hopping and people driven to a helpless state by drinking, roaming the streets of the resorts of southern Europe – from Sunny Beach to the Costa del Sol.
And perhaps because of this, young residents of Great Britain show less and less interest in alcohol and drunken tourism.
The country’s Generation Z is shaping up to be the most sober on the Island, and according to a YouGov survey, almost 40% of 18-24-year-olds there don’t touch alcohol. We associate the British with this, but things are gradually changing.
The trend is complemented by surveys overseas, where Gallup found in 2023 that as many as 52% of people in the 18-34 age group in the US believe that moderate alcohol consumption is harmful to health.
For comparison, 39 percent of people aged 35 to 54 and only 29% of those over 55 think so.
Moreover, attitudes change quickly – 5 years earlier, only 34 percent of the youngest considered moderate drinking to be a bad thing.
And some more dry statistics – from the latest StudentUniverse report, which deals with the travel attitudes of the youngest. For it, 4,000 students from the USA, UK, Canada and Australia aged 18 to 25 were surveyed.
A whopping 83% say they would consider a holiday abroad without any alcohol – given that this is the group where, until recently, ‘travel’ was synonymous with ‘party’ and ‘clubbing’.
Among the main reasons for liking sober travel, students cite the likelihood of getting into dangerous situations if they drink, the preference to spend money on other things, and the desire not to screw up the next day. According to more and more people, it can be fun without alcohol.
“It’s not so widely accepted anymore that you have to drink alcohol to have fun. People are starting to challenge that narrative, so there’s a rise in demand for non-alcoholic drinks, events and entertainment,” says Lauren Burnison, founder of We Love Lucid , quoted by “Euronews”. Lauren herself stopped drinking years ago.
According to the US company Expedia, which supports ticket and hotel search platforms, “sober travel” is among the hottest trends for 2024.
“Today’s tourists are more interested in making memories than trying to remember what they did – over 40% say they are likely to book a detox trip,” according to the company, which also studied traveler attitudes.
The idea can also be described like this – people prefer to see the sunrise because they wake up early for an excursion or hike, not because they are just coming home.
“The mindset of “You only live once, I’ll drink everything I see” is being replaced by the idea that our free time is valuable,” commented Rhiannon Jones, an analyst at the consulting company Kantar.
There is still a lot of logic in this – without overdoing alcohol, tourists can get a lot more out of their vacation – see more places, instead of sleeping until noon and suffering from a hangover all day, rest better – and physically, both mentally and emotionally, and to pay less money by not going around bars and pubs.
Plus, travel itself is physically demanding — especially if it’s a long drive or long, transoceanic flights. Alcohol, even in small amounts, can only harm recovery and adaptation.
There are also psychological benefits to not drinking while traveling.
Alcohol acts as a depressant and without it people are more likely to enjoy their holiday, Victoria Waters, co-founder of Dry Atlas, which offers alternative drinks, told the BBC.
That is, large and regular amounts of alcohol can lead to anxiety and depressive symptoms, which is the last thing a person wants from their vacation.
From a business point of view, the trend leads to an increase in the supply of mocktails – non-alcoholic cocktails, and the appearance of all kinds of non-alcoholic beers and wines, which can be found in more and more hotels, restaurants and even on cruises.
Brussels, 27th February 2024 – On the occasion of World NGO Day, the European External Action Service (EEAS), spearheaded by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell, has reaffirmed its unwavering support for civil society organizations (CSOs) worldwide. Amidst an alarming global trend of shrinking civic spaces and increasing hostility towards NGO workers, human rights defenders, and journalists, the EU has taken a stand to protect and empower these crucial pillars of democracy.
Civil society, often the voice for the most vulnerable, faces unprecedented challenges. From being branded as “foreign agents” to facing excessive force during peaceful protests, the environment for NGOs and civil society actors is becoming increasingly restrictive. In light of these challenges, the EU’s condemnation of attacks on freedom of association and peaceful assembly has never been more pertinent.
To combat these concerning trends, the EU is leveraging all tools at its disposal, including substantial financial support. A notable initiative is the EU System for Enabling Environment (EU SEE), launched in 2023 with a €50 million budget. This groundbreaking system aims to monitor and promote civic space in 86 partner countries, incorporating an EU SEE Monitoring Index, an early warning mechanism, and a rapid and flexible support mechanism (FSM). These tools are designed to bolster civil society’s resilience and swiftly respond to any deterioration or positive developments in civic freedoms.
The EU’s commitment extends beyond the EU SEE. The Global Europe Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) programme, with a €1.5 billion budget for 2021-2027, supports civil society organizations outside the EU. This is complemented by other programmes and sources, including nine partnerships totaling €27 million focused on fundamental freedoms and independent media, and the ‘Team Europe Democracy’ initiative, which pools €19 million from 14 Member States to enhance democracy and civic space.
Furthermore, the Protect Defenders.eu mechanism, with a €30 million budget until 2027, continues to offer vital support to Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) at risk, having assisted more than 70,000 individuals since its inception in 2015. Additionally, under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III), the EU has committed €219 million for civil society and media in the Western Balkans and Türkiye for 2021-2023.
As the world prepares for the Summit of the Future, the EU emphasizes the importance of a robust role for civil society, including youth, in shaping the UN’s Pact for The Future. This engagement is crucial for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and upholding human rights.
On World NGO Day, the EU honors the invaluable contributions of civil society in fostering resilient and inclusive societies. The EU’s comprehensive support framework underscores its dedication to safeguarding a safe and open civic space worldwide, ensuring that the voices of the most vulnerable are heard and protected.
The Crucial Role of NGOs in Protecting Freedom of Religion or Belief
On World NGO Day, we take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the vital work of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) around the globe, especially those dedicated to protecting the fundamental human right of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). This day serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting these organizations, as their efforts in safeguarding FoRB are not only pivotal in their own right but also facilitate a wide range of other humanitarian aid initiatives.
Freedom of Religion or Belief is a cornerstone of human rights, enshrined in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It ensures that individuals and communities can practice their religion or belief freely, without fear of discrimination or persecution. However, in many parts of the world, this right is under threat, with individuals facing violence, legal penalties, and social ostracization for their beliefs. In this context, NGOs working to protect FoRB play a critical role in advocating for the rights of these vulnerable populations, monitoring abuses, and providing support to victims.
The protection of FoRB is intrinsically linked to the broader spectrum of humanitarian aid. When individuals and communities are free to practice their beliefs, it fosters an environment of tolerance and peace, which is essential for the effective delivery of aid. Moreover, NGOs focused on FoRB often work in collaboration with other humanitarian organizations to address complex crises that involve elements of religious persecution. By ensuring that FoRB is protected, these NGOs contribute to creating stable societies where other forms of humanitarian assistance, such as education, healthcare, and disaster relief, can be more effectively implemented.
Furthermore, the work of these NGOs in protecting FoRB can lead to long-term societal benefits, including the promotion of pluralism, democracy, and human rights. By advocating for the rights of all individuals to practice their religion or belief freely, these organizations help to combat extremism and build resilient communities that are capable of withstanding and recovering from conflicts.
On World NGO Day, it is crucial to recognize the interconnectedness of human rights and humanitarian aid. Supporting NGOs that focus on protecting Freedom of Religion or Belief is not only a commitment to upholding a fundamental human right but also a strategic investment in the broader humanitarian mission. As we honor the invaluable contributions of these organizations, let us also commit to further supporting their efforts, understanding that in doing so, we are helping to facilitate all other types of humanitarian aid and contributing to the creation of a more just and peaceful world.
In recent years, Pakistan has grappled with numerous challenges concerning religious freedom, particularly regarding the Ahmadiyya community. This issue has once again come to the forefront following a recent decision by the Pakistan Supreme Court defending the right to free expression of religious beliefs.
The Ahmadiyya community, a minority Islamic sect, has faced persecution and discrimination in Pakistan for decades. Despite considering themselves Muslims, Ahmadis are deemed non-Muslims under Pakistani law due to their belief in Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as a prophet after Muhammad. This theological difference has subjected them to severe social, political, and legal marginalization, including restrictions on religious practices, hate speech, and violence.
The recent ruling by the Pakistan Supreme Court represents a significant development in the ongoing struggle for religious freedom in the country. The court upheld the right of Ahmadis to self-identify as Muslims and express their beliefs without fear of prosecution, affirming the principles of freedom of religion and expression enshrined in Pakistan’s constitution.
However, despite this legal victory, challenges persist for the Ahmadiyya community. Deep-rooted societal prejudices and institutionalized discrimination continue to pose threats to their safety and well-being. Extremist groups often target Ahmadis with impunity, inciting violence and spreading hatred against them. Furthermore, discriminatory laws, such as Ordinance XX, which prohibits Ahmadis from practicing Islamic rituals or identifying as Muslims, remain in force, perpetuating their second-class status.
The international community has also raised concerns about religious freedom in Pakistan, urging the government to take concrete steps to address the plight of religious minorities, including the Ahmadiyya community. Organizations such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Internantional Human Rights Committee and CAP Freedom of Conscience have called for the repeal of discriminatory laws and the protection of minority rights.
In response to mounting pressure, there have been some positive developments in recent years. Pakistan’s government has expressed commitment to safeguarding the rights of religious minorities and combating religious intolerance. Initiatives such as the National Commission for Minorities and efforts to promote interfaith harmony reflect a growing recognition of the importance of religious pluralism and tolerance in Pakistani society.
Nevertheless, genuine progress requires more than just legal reforms; it demands a fundamental shift in societal attitudes and the dismantling of entrenched discriminatory practices. It necessitates fostering a culture of inclusivity, respect, and understanding where all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs, can live freely and without fear.
As Pakistan navigates its complex socio-religious landscape, the case of the Ahmadiyya community serves as a litmus test for the nation’s commitment to religious freedom and pluralism. Upholding the rights of Ahmadis not only strengthens the fabric of Pakistani democracy but also reaffirms the country’s founding principles of equality, justice, and tolerance for all its citizens.
In a world where hostility towards religious minorities persists, the need for empowering responses to religious hatred has never been more urgent. The duty of States to prevent and respond to acts of violence and discrimination based on religion is firmly established in international human rights law. However, recent incidents of desecration and discrimination have reignited the debate on how best to address and prevent such acts.
On the 8th of March 2024, a pivotal event titled “Empowering Responses to Religious Hatred” will take place at Room XXV, Palais des Nations, Geneva.
This event, organized by ADF International and co-sponsored by Jubilee Campaign, CAP Liberté de Conscience, Fundación para la Mejora de la Vida, la Cultura y la Sociedad, aims to highlight the importance of empowering approaches rooted in international human rights law to combat religious hatred.
Distinguished speakers including Mrs. Fiona Bruce, MP, Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion of Belief, United Kingdom; H.E. Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, Apostolic Nuncio, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations Office; Mrs. Tehmina Arora, Director of Asia Advocacy, ADF International; Mr. Joseph Janssen, Advocacy Officer, Jubilee Campaign; and Mr. Jonas Fiebrantz, Advocacy Officer, ADF International, will lead a panel discussion on key questions surrounding religious hatred.
The panel will delve into crucial topics such as trends in violations against religious communities, the international human rights framework on responses to religious hatred, shortcomings of restrictive approaches, and examples of empowering practices. The event will conclude with a Q&A session, providing attendees with the opportunity to engage with the speakers and delve deeper into the discussion.
At a time when the rights and freedoms of religious minorities are under threat, it is essential for global stakeholders to come together and commit to implementing empowering strategies to combat religious hatred. States, the UN, civil society, and faith actors all have a role to play in promoting social resilience and upholding human rights in the face of religious intolerance.
I can only applaud such inclusive initiatives. Together, let us strive for a world where all individuals can practice their beliefs freely, without the threat of discrimination or violence. It is essential for global stakeholders to commit to implementing empowering strategies to combat religious hatred. All their support, commitment and advocacy is crucial in promoting social resilience and upholding human rights in the face of religious intolerance.
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The event concept note, along with the full list of co-sponsors, is available at this link.
Please confirm your attendance via email at [email protected] by no later than Monday, 4 March 2024.
