Artist from Gaza denied entry to UK
A PALESTINIAN artist from Gaza, Malak Mattar, who was due to appear at the Greenbelt festival this weekend, has been refused a visa, the Palestine Chronicle website has reported. The artist was scheduled to present her paintings in both France and England. She reported on Facebook that she had been falsely accused of lying on her visa application, “including the accusation that I was not a real student and that they didn’t believe my intentions”. “I haven’t been able to see my paintings outside Palestine, and I’m afraid I won’t ever be able to,” she wrote.
Christian Aid seeks better protection in the field
IN THE wake of fatal attacks on its partners in South Sudan and Gaza, Christian Aid is calling on governments, UN agencies, and NGOs to spend more on the protection of humanitarian workers. In 2017, 313 aid workers across the sector were victims of violent attacks. “This year’s World Humanitarian Day highlights the need for concrete steps to protect all civilians caught up in violence: this includes aid workers,” Christian Aid’s senior adviser for humanitarian policy and advocacy, Jane Backhurst, said.
New date for Homeless Sunday
CHURCHES are being urged by the charity Housing Justice to take part in Homeless Sunday, on 7 October. This year’s change of date (it was formerly held in January) reflects feedback from church leaders and congregations and the growing number of churches involved in hosting church and community night-shelter projects, which tend to open towards the end of October. More than 200 churches have already signed up to take part in events. www.housingjustice.org.uk
Tell us tales of the sea, says maritime charity
THE Christian charity the Sailors’ Society, which celebrated its bicentenary in March, wants to hear people’s memories of the sea, to highlight their connection to it. “Whether it’s beach balls, flip-flops, or the ingredients used to make an ice cream, 90 per cent of everything you see beside the seaside is transported by sea,” the charity’s CEO, Stuart Rivers, said. “Whether you spent childhood holidays at the beach, or have made a career out of working at sea, we’d love to hear and share your stories.” The charity works internationally to provide practical, emotional and spiritual support to seafarers, regardless of background or faith. www.theseaandme.org