Beards

RCMP reverses mask policy for bearded officers Prime minister said policy discriminated against officers who keep beards for religious reasons

(CBC) The RCMP has reversed its policy on mask-wearing after being accused of discrimination over the rule, which saw bearded Mounties — including Sikh and Muslim officers — reassigned to desk duty. The policy, which was condemned by both activists and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, required front-line officers to wear […]

Beards

RCMP mask policy for bearded front-line officers is discriminatory and ‘shouldn’t have happened,’ Trudeau says PM and Public Safety Minister Bill Blair say Mounties need to 'rectify' policy

(CBC) The prime minister says the RCMP’s policy requiring front-line officers to wear properly fitting N95 respirator masks amounts to discrimination and “shouldn’t have happened,” because the rule disfavours officers who keep beards for religious reasons. Justin Trudeau said Friday he was “very disappointed” to hear about […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

People’s Alliance drops candidate for making Islamophobic comments online Memramcook-Tantramar's Heather Collins will no longer be running for the People's Alliance

(CBC) People’s Alliance Leader Kris Austin has dropped one of the party’s election candidates because she complained online about the number of Muslims immigrating to this country. As of Wednesday, Memramcook-Tantramar’s Heather Collins is no longer a candidate for the party — […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

MSNBC’s Joy Reid accused of Islamophobia for comparing the ‘way Muslims act’ to radicalized Trump supporters 'That’s how we talk about the way Muslims act,' she said. 'When you see what Donald Trump is doing, is that any different from what we describe as radicalizing people?'

(Daily Beast) MSNBC host Joy Reid on Tuesday faced accusations of Islamophobia over remarks she made during her Monday evening broadcast comparing radicalized Trump supporters to “the way Muslims act.” Reid, who recently took over the 7 p.m. weeknight slot vacated by […]

Children & Teens

‘Honor killings’ a false narrative in Lewisville teens’ deaths, Muslim community says After Amina and Sarah Said were found shot to death in 2008, many people were quick to blame their father’s Islamic faith.

(Dallas Morning News) Alia Salem remembers how horrific the killings were, and the photos and videos on the TV news of the two Lewisville girls who died. She also remembers how Muslims in North Texas worked to fight rumors and Islamophobic stereotypes, […]

Crime

Joe Biden’s plan for Arab Americans: Six takeaways The Biden campaign released a platform addressing domestic and foreign policy issues that affect Arab Americans; here's what's in it

(Middle East Eye) US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has released a comprehensive platform outlining his plans for the Arab-American community, emphasising commitment to civil rights and prosperity at home as well as a more balanced foreign policy in the Middle East. […]

Academics & Education

Berlin teacher headscarf ban is illegal, rules top court The ruling is the latest in a long-running legal battle brought by a Muslim woman who was banned from teaching in the city. Some lawmakers are now calling for Berlin's controversial neutrality act to be changed.

(Deutsche Welle) Germany’s Federal Labor Court on Thursday ruled that a blanket ban on teachers wearing headscarves in schools in the capital city Berlin was unconstitutional. The court decision was the latest in a case brought by a Muslim woman who was unable to […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

After an inmate reported discrimination, the Waukesha County Jail made religious texts and halal foods more accessible, ACLU says

(Journal Sentinel) The Waukesha County Jail has made religious texts more accessible, and contracted a new food service to meet constitutional standards that protect religious freedom, following a Muslim inmate’s report of religious discrimination, said an attorney with the American Civil Liberties […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

‘Slap in the face’: Muslims decry Bloomberg’s upcoming appearance at Democratic convention As New York mayor, Bloomberg oversaw a surveillance programme that targeted Muslim community gatherings, businesses and student groups

(Middle East Eye) Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg oversaw a surveillance programme targeting the city’s Muslim community for almost a decade. This week he will be speaking at the Democratic national convention — an event that has so far focused on […]

Academics & Education

Commission rules in favour of 2 Muslim students who wanted prayer at private school Calgary's Webber Academy was fined $26,000 in 2015, Court of Appeal ordered new hearing

(CBC) The Alberta Human Rights Commission tribunal has again ruled in favour of two Muslim students who sought prayer space at a non-denominational private school in Calgary. The tribunal had previously found in 2015 that Webber Academy in southwest Calgary unlawfully discriminated against the […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Democratic congressman faces accusations of Islamophobia over anti-BDS flyer Congressman William Lacy Clay has been accused of putting 'Muslim lives in danger' by progressive challenger Cori Bush

(Middle East Eye) Congressman William Lacy Clay, a Missouri Democrat, is facing accusations of Islamophobia after his campaign sent a flyer featuring the photo of Muslim-American activist Linda Sarsour to attack his progressive challenger over her support for the right to boycott […]

Books

Germany: SPD formally expels former Berlin senator Thilo Sarrazin An arbitration committee upheld the Social Democrats' decision to expel Sarrazin over Islamophobic rhetoric. The ruling marked the party's third attempt to oust him after almost a decade fighting in court.

(Deutsche Welle) Germany’s Social Democrats (SPD) have finally managed to expel controversial politician turned author Thilo Sarrazin, who has published a series of books over the last decade bearing little resemblance to the party’s stated positions. Sarrazin’s books criticizing the lack of […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

House votes to repeal Trump travel ban

(Hill) The House passed legislation to repeal President Trump’s controversial travel ban in a 233-183 vote along party lines on Wednesday. The legislation — spearheaded by Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) and backed by 219 co-sponsors — includes language aimed at reining in […]

Demonstrations

Police surveillance concerns US Muslims amid BLM protest crackdown With coronavirus hitting the US hard, there are growing fears community groups will have to resort to funding provided by surveillance programmes

(Middle East Eye) The killing of George Floyd by a white police officer in Minneapolis triggered the largest protests over systemic racism and police brutality the United States has seen in more than a generation. Black Lives Matter protests swiftly spread to more […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Ankara, EU can work against Islamophobia: Turkey Turkey ready to support EU efforts to achieve equality for Muslims, other religious communities, says Turkish official

(Anadolu) Turkey and the EU have worked closely together in many areas and can do so against anti-Muslim racist movements, Turkey’s communications director said Saturday. Fahrettin Altun attended a presentation in Ankara of the European Islamophobia Report 2019 of the Foundation for […]