Government & Politics

Germany: Horst Seehofer sets terms for repatriating ‘Islamic State’ foreign fighters Some 40 foreign fighters who fought for 'Islamic State' and are in detention in Syria reportedly have German passports. Germany's conservative interior minister has said they can only return under strict conditions.

(Deutsche Welle) Germany will only take back “Islamic State” foreign fighters and their families if they can prove their identities and they do not pose a serious security threat, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer has said. “In the interest of the security of […]

Academics & Education

Kiel University bans full-face veil in classrooms A spokesman said the move was not exceptional, citing similar decisions by other institutions of higher education. But some politicians have called the decision 'untenable,' saying it undermines religious freedom.

(Deutsche Welle) Kiel University on Wednesday announced that it has banned full-face coverings in classrooms, citing the need for open communication that includes facial expressions and gestures. However, the university in the capital of the German state Schleswig-Holstein clarified that its action did […]

Academics & Education

Germany closes Muslim kindergarten over Islamist links The youth welfare office for the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate has revoked the operating license of a Muslim kindergarten. The day nursery was accused of promoting Salafist ideology.

(Deutsche Welle) Officials in the city of Mainz on Monday withdrew the license of the only Muslim kindergarten in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate amid allegations that the facility was promoting Salafism. The president of the state’s youth office, Detlef Placzek, said the […]

Government & Politics

US Jewish leader accuses Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib of anti-Semitism Malcolm Hoenlein also says he opposes US Jews donating to Israeli political campaigns, argues Airbnb’s decision to delist settlements opens a Pandora’s box

(Times of Israel) One of American Jewry’s most senior leaders lashed out at US Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib on Monday, accusing the young lawmaker of making anti-Semitic remarks. “I am very disturbed. I do believe Tlaib has made anti-Semitic comments,” Malcolm Hoenlein, the […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Gatineau councillor apologizes for comments about Muslims Coun. Nathalie Lemieux says she'll step down from deputy mayor's post

(CBC) A Gatineau city councillor is apologizing for remarks she made last week about Islamophobia in Quebec, but maintains she’s been unfairly judged. In a French-language newspaper interview last week, Coun. Nathalie Lemieux said she didn’t believe Islamophobia exists in the province, and […]

Crime

Quebec doesn’t have a problem with Islamophobia, Premier Legault says 'It's voluntary blindness': Muslim leaders disagree with the premier's assertion

(CBC) Premier François Legault says there’s no need for a day devoted to action against Islamophobia — because Islamophobia isn’t a problem in the province. Legault made the comments two days after the second anniversary of the Quebec City mosque attack, when the deputy premier, Geneviève Guilbault, said the […]