The scale of the challenge and the glimmer of new possibilities in interreligious understnading is on display at the 16-18 July international interfaith conference convened in Madrid by the Muslim World League.

Britain counts itself as a mature democracy. But what really guarantees freedom and fairness, asks Simon Barrow, and how does the church relate to the will of the people in wider society?

The new Orthodox metropolitan of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia says his priorities include dealing with the Chinese government to bring about the proper recognition of Orthodox Christians in mainland China.

Recent religious conflict in the Indian state of Orissa has been aided by the aggressive evangelising of missionaries from outside the region, says an official with the largest traditional Protestant denomination in northern India.

The seizure by Malaysian customs officials of 32 English-language Bibles from a Christian woman who was bringing them into the country for a study group has prompted an outcry from Christians in the Muslim-majority country.

A world church leader has responded with "strong disappointment and shock" to what he says is the unlawful recent destruction of an historic Orthodox Christian Church by eight officials of a local Ministry of Forestry in Turkey.

Vietnam's national Religious Affairs Committee has announced that it will present a 'Certificate for Religious Activities' to the Vietnam Mennonite Church in early October 2007, following concerted attempts by the church to gain recognition.

Beijing's new Catholic bishop, 42-year-old Joseph Li Shan, reported to have the approval of both the Vatican and the Chinese government, says he will help the development of a "harmonious society". Government officials in say religion can play an important role in building such a society.

A new wave of religious freedom is sweeping across Libya, say Christians in the north African country. This follows three decades during which the tiny community faced restrictions due to the nation's hostile stance towards the West - which people identified with Christianity.

In a new crackdown on Protestant churches across Uzbekistan, Sharofat Allamova was given a suspended prison sentence of six months in the central city of Bukhara [Bukhoro] in late August.