Academics & Education

English-language school boards argue Quebec’s secularism law should not apply to them Lawyer for EMSB argues religious diversity is part of cultural DNA of boards

(CBC) English-language school boards argued before the Quebec Court of Appeal Wednesday they should be exempt from Quebec’s secularism law — known as Bill 21 — because religious diversity is part of the cultural heritage of English schools in Quebec. “The examples […]

Government & Politics

AFP faces grilling over ISIS brides in senate estimates The women who returned to Australia after marrying ISIS fighters are under ongoing investigation, federal police have revealed.

(NCA NewsWire) The four “ISIS brides” repatriated to Australia alongside their children could be subjected to control orders, with the matter under investigation. The Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw told senate estimates there was also an active investigation into whether the […]

Academics & Education

Mount Ridley College student upset after teacher shows ‘explicit and blasphemous‘ cartoon A Mount Ridley College student has been left with 'psychological and mental trauma' after a teacher played an 'explicit and blasphemous' cartoon.

(Herald Sun) A Muslim student has been left with “painful psychological and mental trauma” after an offensive cartoon about the Prophet Muhammad was shown in a year 11 media class. A teacher at Mount Ridley College in Craigieburn played an “explicit and […]

Academics & Education

Muslim women most affected by Quebec’s secularism law, Court of Appeal hears School board lawyer tells court only Muslim women have lost jobs due to Bill 21

(CBC) As the court challenge of Quebec’s secularism law — commonly known as Bill 21 — continues this week before the Quebec Court of Appeal, groups contesting the law argued Tuesday Bill 21 overwhelmingly discriminates against Muslim women. The Quebec government and several civil […]

Academics & Education

Hearings on constitutionality of Quebec’s secularism law underway in Court of Appeal Opponents of law argue government's use of notwithstanding clause to protect law goes too far

(CBC) Opponents of Quebec’s secularism law — known as Bill 21 — argued before the province’s Court of Appeal Monday that the CAQ government went too far in pre-emptively invoking the constitutional notwithstanding clause in order to protect the law from court […]

Crime

Ofcom confirms ‘significant failings’ in BBC Chanukah bus attack report Broadcast watchdog says BBC caused 'distress and anxiety to the victims of the attack and the wider Jewish community.'

(Jewish News) An Ofcom investigation into the BBC’s reporting of the Oxford Street Chanukah bus attack on a group of Jewish students has uncovered “significant editorial failings” following the broadcast. The BBC’s reports of the November 2021 incident claimed that an audio […]

Government & Politics

In run-up to midterms, Muslim groups, mosques push for voter engagement 'The local work is allowing us to expand voting rights so more people can vote for our candidates,' said Nada Al-Hanooti, executive director of Emgage’s Michigan chapter.

(Religion News) Community organizer Nada Al-Hanooti insists local city council politics hold just as much power as elections on the national and federal levels. As proof, she cites voter outreach efforts in southeast Michigan that in 2021 helped elect the city of […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

US may elect first Muslim senator. Why are few Muslims thrilled? Donald Trump-backed Mehmet Oz’s Senate bid fails to produce enthusiasm seen with previous Muslim firsts in US.

(Al-Jazeera) The United States may elect its highest-ranking Muslim official next week — a Donald Trump-backed Republican who has questioned the legitimacy of the 2020 elections. Mehmet Oz, a television personality and retired surgeon of Turkish descent, is running in Pennsylvania against […]

Academics & Education

NUS president is sacked after antisemitism probe Shaima Dallali is dismissed as president of the student body after panel meets to consider the findings of KC Rebecca Tuck's investigation into antisemitism allegations

(Jewish News) The president of the National Union of Students (NUS) Shaima Dallali has been dismissed from her role — following an independent investigation into antisemitism claims against her and the student body. Jewish News has learned that an NUS disciplinary panel has concluded […]

Government & Politics

NGOs call for rejection of IHRA’s anti-Semitism definition in US county A coalition of NGOs are calling for the rejection of a resolution in Montgomery County in Maryland that could make criticism of Israel part of a definition of anti-Semitism, raising wider concerns over free speech.

(New Arab) On a rainy Monday evening at the Montgomery County Council in Maryland, located near Washington, DC, a group of NGOs held a press conference calling on the Council to reject the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of anti-Semitism, which would […]