As we reflect on key religious time of the year with Easter, Passover and Ramadan all in recent weeks, it is right that we refocus our attention on the vital issue of freedom of religion or belief around the world.
But for billions of people, this season will be marked by a pandemic of persecution on account of religion or belief. The Pew Research Center reported that religious restrictions impact almost two thirds of the global community. Christians of all denominations experience repression. Uighur Muslims in China and Rohingya Muslims in Burma face genocide-like persecution. Yezidis, Baha’is, Hindus, converts, atheists: people of all faiths and none suffer.
Five challenges that require urgent attention. But despite this grim outlook, if the United Kingdom and the United