Government & Politics

German Bundestag votes to support UN migration pact A majority of German parliamentarians has voted in favor of a global pact aimed at regulating migration. Despite its nonbinding nature, the pact has increasingly come under fire from populists across the world.

(Deutsche Welle) Germany’s parliament on Thursday voted to back a contentious UN pact aimed at promoting cooperation to deal with migration around the world. The ballot saw 372 parliamentarians vote for supporting the pact, with 153 against and 141 abstentions. While giving […]

Government & Politics

Seehofer tells Islam conference Muslims are a part of Germany Some have called it a U-turn, others see it in less dramatic terms. Interior Minister Horst Seehofer has said that 'Muslims are a part of Germany' on the opening day of the German Islam Conference.

(Deutsche Welle) Horst Seehofer said on Wednesday in Berlin that “Muslims belong to Germany,” speaking as he presided over the fourth German Islam Conference (DIK). The comments drew particular attention given Seehofer’s past statement that Islam was not part of Germany. Seehofer said […]

Government & Politics

Italy adopts tough anti-migrant law

(AFP) Italy on Wednesday adopted far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini’s tough anti-migrant and security decree, despite fierce criticism from the left. The bill, which makes it easier to expel migrants and limits residency permits, was passed in the lower house of parliament […]

Interfaith

Pro-Israel groups condemn CAIR leader for calling on Israel’s ‘termination’ 'They irrationally condemn the Jewish state, but never condemn the murderous actions of Hamas or Syria, or the Palestinian dictator and terrorist [Mahmoud] Abbas,' said Zionist Organization of America national president Mort Klein.

(JNS) CAIR Los Angeles director Hussam Ayloush posted on Twitter over the weekend that “Iran’s regime calling Israel a ‘cancerous tumor’ is like the pot calling the kettle black. All the people of that region will be better off once both murderous […]

Children & Teens

THL: 10,000 girls and women in Finland have undergone FGM Finland’s public health watchdog THL says 3,000 girls risk undergoing the procedure, which involves removal of all or some of the external female genitalia.

(Yle) There are currently as many as 3,000 girls in Finland who face the risk of being subjected to female genital mutilation or FGM, according to an analysis released by the National Institute for Health and Welfare on Friday. The THL data […]

Crime

Canada: Muslim groups call for national day of action against hate Making 29 January a National Day of Action against Hate and Intolerance would honour victims of deadly Quebec mosque attack, groups say

(Middle East Eye) More than 100 community groups across Canada have called on Justin Trudeau’s government to designate January 29 a National Day of Action against Hate and Intolerance, in memory of the victims of a deadly attack on a Canadian mosque […]

Government & Politics

EU top court rules against Austrian curbs on refugee rights The European Court of Justice ruled against a 2015 regulation that saw Austria give minimal social assistance to refugees. Austria's conservative government has introduced a number of strict immigration cuts recently.

(Deutsche Welle) The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ordered Austria to roll back regulations on Wednesday that saw refugees given markedly less social assistance than native-born Austrians. The ECJ ruled that the Austrian measure from 2015 was not compatible with EU directives […]

Arts & Entertainment

Islamic Relief USA donates $100,000 to Louisville’s Muhammad Ali Center The donation will be used to fund a temporary exhibit called 'America to Zanzibar: Muslim Cultures Near and Far.'

(WDRB) The Muhammad Ali Center has received a major donation from an Islamic non-profit humanitarian agency. Islamic Relief USA has given $100,000 to the center on its 13th anniversary, according to a news release. The Alexandria, Virginia-based organization says [it’s] an effort to honor […]