Beyond the veneer of liberal enlightenment, the claims of religions to be harbingers of community, and the competing claims of politicians about rights and responsibilities, the reality of prejudice and discrimination continues to be experienced by a host of different communities and groups who are seen as 'different' and 'threatening'.
 
This coming week, following on from the UN International Day for the Eradication of Racial Discrimination (see Event) church and civil society groups throughout the world will be focussing on action against racism. That is also the theme of our 'Reading Allowed' book choice - a Mennonite volume exploring practical, biblical and ethical responses. New Testament professor Deirdre Good highlights the issue of reparations for exploitation and violence in the first of our two featured articles. The other, by Islamic Foundation researcher Dilwar Hussain, examines the experience and perspective of Muslims in relation to issues of freedom and liberty.
 
Both Jews (see 'Muslim and Jewish shared fidelity') and Muslims have been experiencing an unpleasant upsurge of sometimes violent prejudice in Europe of late. Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland, possible reforms in the schooling system (see Research) are among the ways forward to address the legacy of sectarianism and the building of a different kind of social order.
 
Meanwhile, our quotations this week indicate ways in which listening as well as advocating remains important for religious persons and communities in a diverse and sometimes threatening world. And the 'thinking in action' focus is on a media project about Bethlehem which is trying to build bridges between people and put a spoke in the wheel of injustice.