Turkish PM Declares an End to Ethnic Discrimination

At an iftar or Ramadan fast-breaking dinner hosted by the Turkish government for representatives of Turkey's religious minorities (none of whom, if the author is not mistaken, actually fast during Ramadan) Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated in part that, "There have been times when people in our country were put under pressure for their beliefs, ethnic background, for the way they dress and their different lifestyles, but those days are over...nobody in this country is anymore privileged than anyone else in the eyes of the constitution or other laws."

Following the end of the iftar Patriarch Bartholomew (Arhondonis) of Constantinople, who participated in the event, welcomed the Turkish prime minister's statements as well as the recent decree of the Turkish government returning previously appropriated properties belonging to Turkey's religious minorities and expressed his hope that in the future Turkey would go further in its efforts to undo the injustices suffered by its minorities. More here.

Turkey to Return Religious Properties

In a decision announced Saturday the Turkish government has committed to returning the numerous churches, synagogues, cemeteries, and formerly church-run hospital, orphanage, and school buildings confiscated from Turkey's native religious and ethnic minorities since the foundation of the modern Turkish state following World War I. Properties already sold to private owners by the Turkish government are to be substituted for financial compensation from the state. The move comes as part of Turkey's ongoing efforts to qualify for membership in the European Union, which has long been concerned by the country's treatment of its non-Turkish citizens. More here.

Weekend Protests in Israel Draw 300,000

Over 300,000 Israelis took to the streets over the weekend in one of the largest popular demonstrations in the country's history to protest what demonstrators called the Israeli government's social justice violations, with one speaker (a rabbi) saying that, "[Israel] has room for all...Jews and non-Jews." More here and here.

Georgian Legislation Discussed by Saakashvili, Catholicos Karekin During June Visit

The Armenian Orthodox Church has welcomed the legislation of the Georgian government to allow the registration of Georgia's minority religious organizations, which was recently signed into law by President Mikheil Saakashvili. The groundwork for the legislation was apparently laid during the visit last month of Catholicos-Patriarch Karekin II (Nersessian) of Echmiadzin with the Georgian president. More here.

Criminal Charges Initiated Against Former Bishop Artemije of Prizren

On the basis of charges brought forward by the Serbian Orthodox Church the Serbian public prosecutor for Belgrade has initiated criminal proceedings against former Bishop Artemije (Radosavljevic) of Raska and Prizren. Among the charges brought against the former bishop are the embezzlement of millions of euros intended for the renovation of Serbian Orthodox churches and monasteries in Kosovo, the acquisition of properties without the approval of the appropriate central ecclesiastical authorities, and the repair of private properties not owned by the Eparchy of Raska and Prizren. More (in Serbian) here.

Ethiopian Court Sentences Asendabo Perpetrators

An Ethiopian court has sentenced 558 people involved in attacks on Evangelical Protestants and Orthodox Christians in southwestern Ethiopia with jail terms ranging from 6 months to 25 years. More here.

Copts End Cairo Protests, Army Starts Rebuilding Helwan Church

Copts have ended their protests in Cairo after their representatives met with Deputy Prime Minister Yehia al-Gamal, who promised the Egyptian Armed Forces would release 11 Copts arrested for breaking a curfew and rebuild the church recently burned down in Helwan. In fulfillment of al-Gamal's promise the Egyptian Armed Forces has already begun rebuilding the church. More on that here.

Metropolitan Amfilohije on Injustice and Nations

At a recent lecture Metropolitan Amfilohije (Radovic) of Cetinje and Montenegro stated that the peace of a land and its people is based on its relationship to justice, noting that states built on injustice inevitably fell and continue to fall, whereas "justice builds villages and towns." The statement is stunning in the light of the ongoing collapse of Serbia and what was once Yugoslavia. Metropolitan Amfilohije is a senior hierarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church. More here.