Government & Politics

Swedish city plagued by anti-Semitism to invest millions to fight phenomenon Jewish residents of the city of Malmo say they are still hesitant to openly wear any symbols of Judaism but hope the city's initiatives, for which some $2 million have been allocated, will put an end to their fears

(Ynet) The Swedish city of Malmo, plagued by anti-Semitism in recent years, has finally decided to allocate funds to fight the phenomenon after an outcry from the local Jewish community. The city’s municipality announced that it will invest some 20 million Swedish […]

Academics & Education

Pamphlets inform Muslim women of their rights in wake of Quebec’s secularism law Documents include information on how to face and report harassment and how to deal with discrimination

(CBC) An advocacy group is launching a campaign to inform Muslim women of their rights as it tries to deal with increasing reports of harassment and discrimination since Quebec’s secularism law was introduced. Justice Femme, the group behind the campaign, will begin distributing […]

Government & Politics

Finland to reconsider 500 asylum decisions after European court ruling Authorities will re-evaluate some cases in light of harsh criticism from the Court of Human Rights.

(Yle) The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) says it will revisit about 500 asylum decisions following a European court ruling critical of a previous deportation. Last week the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) found Finnish authorities guilty of violating the European Convention […]

News: Europe

Germany detains ‘Islamic State’ returnee deported from Turkey German authorities have detained an Islamist who was expelled with his family from Turkey. Ankara has been deporting individuals with alleged affiliation to the 'Islamic State' terror group to their countries of origin.

(Deutsche Welle) The father of a family of seven, expelled by Turkey on Thursday, was taken into custody on arrival in Germany, said Martin Pallgen, a spokesman for the Berlin state Interior Ministry. A warrant for his arrest is understood not to be […]

Clothing

Quebec women’s federation gets hate messages after support for hijab hashtag Hashtag came after female politician barred from National Assembly for wearing a hoodie

(CBC) Quebec’s largest women’s organization said it was the target of hateful comments on social media after announcing support for the hashtag MonVoileMonChoix, or My Hijab, My Choice. The Fédération des femmes du Québec (FFQ) said it was inundated with hateful, Islamophobic messages. Some […]

Government & Politics

Germany: Terror victims to receive better compensation After criticism that the victims of the 2016 Berlin terrorist attack were left behind, Germany has passed new laws on damages. Victims will be more speedily and more generously compensated.

(Deutsche Welle) Future victims of terrorist attacks in Germany will get better and speedier [compensation] after a new law was passed in the Bundestag on Thursday evening. The modernizing move came after criticism of the treatment received by the victims of the […]

Children & Teens

Germany must repatriate IS-linked mother and children, says court Three German children in northern [Syria] and their one-time 'Islamic State'-affiliated mother must be brought back by Germany’s federal government. That’s been confirmed by a regional appeal court in Berlin.

(Deutsche Welle) Germany’s Higher Administration Court (OVG) in Berlin-Brandenburg on Thursday ruled that three children and their mother must be brought back from northern Syria. While the German Foreign Ministry was prepared to repatriate the children, it refused to bring back the mother citing — like many other […]

Clothing

Ontario MPPs pass Coteau’s motion affirming religious freedoms in response to Quebec’s Bill 21 Michael Coteau placed motion before Legislature on Thursday afternoon

(CBC) The Ontario Legislature on Thursday passed a motion from Michael Coteau, Liberal MPP for Don Valley East, affirming the province’s support of religious diversity in response to Quebec’s Bill 21. Coteau placed the motion before the province’s elected representatives on Thursday afternoon, asking […]

Clerics & Preachers

Germany: Imams will have to prove they speak the language Religious leaders from other countries could soon be forced to prove they can speak German in order to stay in the country. Critics say such a law would worsen the country's shortage of Muslim clerics.

(Deutsche Welle) The German Cabinet has introduced a draft of a bill that would require clergy from countries outside the EU to prove their knowledge of German in order to reside in the country. Although the law would apply to clerics from […]

Immigration

Germany: In 20 years, 1 in 3 people will have migrant roots In large cities, up to 70% of inhabitants will have a migrant background in two decades, experts say. Germany will need to attract a 'range of nationalities' to keep the 'economy stable.'

(Deutsche Welle) By 2040, about 35% of Germany’s population will have a migrant background or be a migrant themselves, according to a German migration expert. Herbert Brücker, who heads the migration research department at the Federal Institute for Employment Research (IAB), told […]