Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Texas mosque faces backlash for hosting local police chief at anti-racism event Despite public outcry and petition that garnered hundreds of signatures, East Plano Islamic Center Masjid went ahead with controversial webinar

(Middle East Eye) A mosque in northern Texas is facing a backlash from the local Muslim community after it invited a local police chief as a speaker for an event on systemic racism, rejecting repeated requests for black rights scholars and activists […]

Clothing

Protesters gather to oppose religious symbols ban, one year after Bill 21 became law Law bans wearing of religious symbols such as a hijab or kippah by public servants in positions of authority

(CBC) Dozens of people gathered outside Quebec Premier François Legault’s Montreal office on Sunday to stage a sit-in, in opposition to the province’s ban on religious symbols that became law one year ago. The most controversial section of the law, known as […]

Academics & Education

Muslim groups call for MUN to take action against ‘[Islamophobe]’ doctor and systemic racism National and provincial groups voice concern over Zachary Kuehner and MUN's response

(CBC) A letter signed by four provincial and national Muslim associations says a doctor accused of making racist comments violated several professional standards, and criticizes Memorial University’s response to the incidents. Zachary Kuehner, a second-year resident at the school, came under fire for his […]

Academics & Education

MUN students pen letter of complaint against self-professed ‘Islamophobe’ doctor Dean of medicine issues statement without using the word 'racism,' says students didn't file proper complaint

(CBC) On Monday morning, a revised version of Zachary Kuehner’s Twitter bio appeared: “Resident doc, mutt owner, sometimes travel writer.” Deleted from the page was another descriptor that existed until some point over the weekend: “Islamophobe.” This, plus other objectionable comments on social media, […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Arabs for Black Lives urges community to do its part against racism New initiative endorsed by Arab artists, academics and organisers calls for eradicating anti-blackness within Arab communities

(Middle East Eye) Arab Americans have launched an anti-racism initiative in solidarity with the African-American community as protests continue over the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police last week. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Arab-black relations: Floyd tragedy highlights ties and tensions Debate emerges about responsibilities of Arab American-owned businesses in mostly black neighbourhoods

(Middle East Eye) “Please, please, I can’t breathe,” George Floyd pleaded, gasping for air as a police officer’s knee pressed into his neck for several minutes until his life was lost. Floyd’s death in Minneapolis on Monday has touched the conscience of […]

Academics & Education

Brampton principal ‘temporarily removed’ after alleged Islamophobic remark ​Muslim group says board for Brampton, Mississauga, Caledon didn’t ‘go far enough’

(Brampton Guardian) A national Muslim organization is demanding the public school board for Peel take further action in light of alleged Islamophobic remarks made by a Brampton high school principal. On May 27, Central Peel Secondary School principal Julie DeMaeyer was “temporarily […]

Academics & Education

MCCCD releases report of independent investigation of Scottsdale Community College academic freedom incident Interim school chancellor to ‘take appropriate time’ to consider report, make determination

(Daily Independent) A report has been issued to Maricopa County Community College District Interim Chancellor Dr. Steven R. Gonzales detailing facts and findings related to Scottsdale Community College’s response to controversy stemming from quiz questions described as discriminatory to the religion of […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Coronavirus: British Muslims call out ‘double standard’ over government Eid warnings The UK government has come under fire for publishing adverts online urging Muslims to stay home during Eid — despite them adhering to lockdown measures

(Middle East Eye) Adverts posted by the UK government online urging British Muslims to stay home and observe the religious festival of Eid at home have been criticised as a display of “double standards” in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. With […]

Academics & Education

‘Disturbing, Islamophobic’ tweet about call to prayer prompts firing of Peel school council chair Ravi Hooda says his tweet was 'misinterpreted'; has now also been fired from Remax Canada

(CBC) A “disturbing, [Islamophobic] tweet” on the city of Brampton’s decision to allow mosques to broadcast the call to prayer has prompted the Peel District School Board to remove one of its school council chairs and launch an investigation into comments it […]

Arts & Entertainment

Jeff Goldblum faces social media backlash over Islam comments on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ 'Is there something in this religion that is anti-homosexuality? And anti-woman?' the actor and special guest asked during Friday night's episode.

(Hollywood Reporter) Jeff Goldblum has come under fire on social media for asking if Islam was “anti-homosexuality” and “anti-woman” during Friday night’s episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race. The comments came after the seven remaining queens on the show, now in its 12th […]

Christians

‘Divisive’: Rights groups accuse Trump of stoking Islamophobia ahead of Ramadan US president suggests Muslims could get preferential treatment during the Muslim holy month, echoing a theme circulating on right-wing Twitter circles

(Middle East Eye) Muslim rights groups have accused US President Donald Trump of stoking Islamophobia after he said there “could be a difference” in how local authorities and politicians enforce coronavirus lockdown measures during the month of Ramadan. During his daily coronavirus news conference on Saturday, Trump referred […]

Clothing

Muslim woman sues police in Yonkers, New York, for forced hijab removal In an exclusive interview with HuffPost, a Muslim woman talks about the trauma she faced after police confiscated and photographed her without her hijab.

(HuffPost) When Yonkers, New York, police demanded Ihsan Malkawi remove her hijab for her booking photograph, the 42-year-old Muslim woman became distraught. She tried through tears to explain to the officers that she wore her hijab for religious reasons and it was […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Black Muslims in US fear they could be ‘disproportionately impacted’ by coronavirus The community is often rendered invisible within the larger black and Muslim populations

(Middle East Eye) Black Muslims in the United States fear they could be at a higher risk from coronavirus infections, as cases continue to climb and hospitals in communities of colour struggle to flatten the curve. More than 10,000 people have died […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Conservative Party disqualifies Jim Karahalios from leadership race after complaints over his behaviour The party did not say exactly what caused the disqualification, but there have been at least two incidents where people complained

(National Post) The Conservative Party has disqualified Jim Karahalios from the race following complaints over his behaviour. The party did not say exactly what caused the disqualification, but there have been at least two incidents where people complained about his behaviour. Karahalios […]

Banks & Banking

Tory leadership candidate Jim Karahalios accused of anti-Muslim ‘bigotry’ over letter Karahalios's letter, with the subject line: 'Say NO to Shariah Law. STOP Erin O'Toole,' targets O'Toole's campaign chair who is Muslim

(National Post) A mass-distributed letter by Conservative leadership candidate Jim Karahalios has sparked outrage in the party over using perceived anti-Muslim rhetoric to attack an Erin O’Toole campaign official, with O’Toole calling it “bigotry” that will lead to “electoral obliteration for our […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Germany’s Seehofer touts expert panel on Islamophobia after Hanau killings An expert group to tackle Islamophobia in Germany has been floated by Chancellor Angela Merkel's interior minister. The move follows a racist multiple shooting last week and precedes an integration summit in Berlin.

(Deutsche Welle) Interior Minister Horst Seehofer announced on Saturday the creation of an “independent expert group on Islamophobia” (Muslimfeindlichkeit), saying it would emulate current ministerial panels on anti-Semitism and antiziganism, meaning hostility toward Jewish and Roma communities respectively. His call follows a charge […]