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Quebec premier shrugs off charge new religious symbols law makes Muslim women more vulnerable to racism François Legault skeptical of Muslims who say Islamophobia's on the rise in Quebec

(CBC) Quebec Premier François Legault says he doesn’t “really” believe Muslim women in the province who say they’ve been the target of Islamophobic incidents since the government passed a law making it illegal for some civil servants to wear religious symbols. Several Muslim […]

Academics & Education

Germany: Leading politicians call for a ‘European Islam’ Everyday measures are key to preserving the European way [of] life, say Germany's health minister and the premier of Schleswig-Holstein state. Jens Spahn and Daniel Günther want a faith that shares the continent's values.

(Deutsche Welle) Two senior German politicians have called for a more progressive form of Islam in order to align the religion with the European way of life. Health Minister Jens Spahn and Schleswig-Holstein State Premier Daniel Günther published the appeal Thursday in […]

Banks & Banking

Springfield PNC bank robbed

(Springfield Sun) A person dressed in all black and a burqa robbed the PNC bank, 1316 Bethlehem Pike, Monday, according to Springfield police. The robber, believed to be a male but possibly a female, entered the bank at 5 p.m. April 8, […]

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Civil liberties groups explore ‘creative’ ways to challenge Quebec’s charter-proof secular bill 'We are studying the law, and we are studying what possible recourses we might bring': lawyer

(CBC) The mayor of Montreal calls it “very concerning.” Religious groups say it’s discriminatory. And civil liberties groups have vowed to fight. But what legal options do these groups have in the face of the Coalition Avenir Québec government’s secularism bill, and what […]

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 […]

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‘You look scary’: Muslim family describes discrimination at Virginia hospital A prominent Muslim family went to a hospital after the birth of a newborn baby. They say the staff humiliated them

(WRC) A Muslim family went to a hospital in Northern Virginia to celebrate a joyous occasion: the birth of a newborn baby. But they say hospital staff humiliated them by telling them they looked “scary,” and threatened to kick them out. Visiting […]

Academics & Education

Aspiring teacher may leave Quebec if CAQ follows through on religious symbol ban New poll suggests Quebecers support ban on religious symbols for civil servants, including teachers

(CBC) Fatima Ahmad has been dreaming about becoming a teacher since she was a little girl. At age six, she wrote down the aspiration in her diary, along with two other options: doctor and artist. Ultimately, she chose teaching. “I love kids, […]

Academics & Education

Nearly two-thirds of Quebecers support public-sector ban on religious symbols, poll finds But when asked detailed questions about how to apply the ban, public opinion is more divided

(CBC) Most Quebecers are in favour of banning public-sector workers from wearing religious symbols, according to a CROP poll released ahead of the first legislative session under a Coalition Avenir Québec government. But a separate survey by Vox Pop Labs, conducted following […]

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When your daughter suddenly becomes radicalized Children's life decisions are often difficult for parents to bear and even more difficult to understand — especially when the children radicalize themselves. DW met an affected German mother.

(Deutsche Welle) It’s something no mother would ever want to experience. The unexpected appearance of state security officers on your doorstep, to inform you that your daughter was planning to leave for Syria to allegedly join the terrorist militia “Islamic State.” But […]

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Austria’s controversial ‘burqa ban,’ a year on With few burqa wearers in Austria, police have often been forced to deal with the absurd side effects of the law. Public opinion, however, remains divided one year after the country banned full-face coverings.

(Deutsche Welle) “Not much has changed,” says Herbert Trappel, enjoying a glass of wine at an outdoor sausage stand at Vienna’s Viktor Adler Market. “When was the law introduced, back in April?” The stand’s proprietor, Vesna Dudek, shakes her head indecisively. You […]

Clothing

Boris Johnson stands by burka remarks, accusing colleagues of ‘confected indignation’ Mr Johnson also tells Sky News he is worried the EU may go for the Chequers proposal as it's 'a great deal for them.'

(Sky News) Boris Johnson has refused to apologise for comparing women wearing burkas to “bank robbers” and accused colleagues of whipping up “confected indignation” over the remarks. In a wide-ranging interview with Sky News, Mr Johnson also warned that the EU may […]