News: Europe

Germans support democracy, but are concerned about Islam A study by the Bertelsmann Foundation found 89% of respondents, across all religions, consider democracy to be a good form of government. But half of respondents expressed concern over Islam.

(Deutsche Welle) The latest edition of the Bertelsmann Foundation’s bi-annual “Religion Monitor” interview survey published on Thursday found religious tolerance in Germany to be sustained but Islam to be having a hard time, perceived by many to be negative. As a result […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Muslim Advocates defend Ilhan Omar against Fox News 'This is not a critique of Omar’s ideas or politic[s]. This is hate speech directed at her as a Muslim and as an immigrant.'

(Jerusalem Post) The head of a Muslim advocates group has condemned conservative talk show host Tucker Carlson for accusing US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of being “living proof that the way we practice immigration has become dangerous to this country.” Scott Simpson, public […]

Books

Germany’s center-left SPD ousts anti-Islam writer Thilo Sarrazin, 74, has said he will appeal the decision, and denies claims that his books are racist. SPD leadership has welcomed the decision, as they have tried three times to oust Sarrazin.

(Deutsche Welle) On its third try, Germany’s center-left Social Democrats (SPD) will be able to kick controversial anti-Islam author Thilo Sarrazin from its ranks, an arbitration court ruled on Thursday. The former Berlin senator intends to appeal the ruling. “We will try […]

Legal

German ‘Islamic State’ bride jailed for 5 years Sabine S. traveled to Syria and Iraq to marry an Islamic State (IS) fighter and praised jihadi life in several blogs. She left her two children in Berlin after becoming radicalized.

(Deutsche Welle) A 32-year-old German woman on Friday was sentenced to five years in prison for being a member of the “Islamic State” (IS) terrorist organization. Sabine S. converted to Islam and moved to Syria and Iraq from the end of 2013 […]

Demonstrations

US activists keep pressure on Saudi Arabia with LA protests Civil rights groups want to ensure the country is held to account for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and its jailing of religious scholars and human rights activists.

(TRT) A coalition of civil society groups took to the Saudi consulate in Los Angeles to protest Riyadh’s human rights abuses, including the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the imprisonment of religious and civil society activists. Sunday’s event was organised by the […]

Government & Politics

UK minister Sajid Javid makes rare visit to Western Wall, Temple Mount In black skullcap, Muslim-born Cabinet minister visits Jewish holy site in contested Old City of Jerusalem, reassures Palestinians Britain still committed to 2-state solution

(Times of Israel) UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid on Monday made a rare visit to Jerusalem’s Western Wall and Temple Mount on the last day of [his] three-day visit to Israel and the West Bank. Javid, who comes from a Muslim family, […]

Clerics & Preachers

San Francisco imam claims Egypt’s Morsi killed by ‘Zionist agents’ Khalid Siddiqi says those allegedly responsible for the former Egyptian president’s death were ‘working for Satan’

(Times of Israel) An imam in San Francisco claimed the death of former Egyptian president [Mohamed] Morsi during a court hearing this month was the work of “Zionist agents.” Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, was Egypt’s first democratically elected leader. […]

Academics & Education

Quebec federation of school boards says it will obey secularism law this fall The province's largest board has said it would hold consultations before banning religious symbols

(CBC) Quebec’s federation of school boards (FCSQ) says it intends on obeying the province’s new secularism law when classes resume in September. The move comes after the province’s largest school board, the Commission scolaire de Montréal (CSDM), said it would not enforce the […]

Government & Politics

Germany loses track of 160 ‘Islamic State’ supporters About 1,000 Germans traveled to the Middle East to join the 'Islamic State' after 2013. A third of them have since returned to Germany. Some died on the battlefield, others are in prison, but many appear to be missing.

(Deutsche Welle) The German government has lost track of more than 160 German “Islamic State” (IS) supporters who traveled to Syria and Iraq to join the terror group, the Welt am Sonntag newspaper has reported. The figure from the Interior Ministry was […]

Clothing

In Quebec’s secularism law, an Ontario police force sees a source of recruits Brampton, Ont., mayor calls Quebec law 'an affront to freedom of religion'

(CBC) An Ontario police force will launch a recruiting campaign targeting Quebec residents affected by the province’s new law on religious symbols. The Peel Regional Police, which covers territory including the cities of Mississauga and Brampton, will conduct a campaign in Quebec after a motion was passed unanimously […]

Clerics & Preachers

Rivlin meets delegation of European Muslim leaders in Jerusalem President and group of imams and activists from France and Belgium discuss anti-Semitism, value of interfaith dialogue

(Times of Israel) President Reuven Rivlin on Sunday met with a delegation of French imams and French and Belgian Muslim activists in Jerusalem. The group was headed by Hassen [Chalghoumi], an imam well-known in France for his involvement in interfaith initiatives. The […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Court: Helsinki breaks contract talks with Muslim recruit who wanted prayer breaks Three city officials face labour discrimination charges after ending contract talks with a new hire over prayer breaks.

(Yle) Three civil servants with Helsinki City’s Urban Environment Division face labour discrimination and dereliction of duty charges in Helsinki District Court after failing to finalise an employment contract with a new hire after he said he was a practicing Muslim and […]