Clerics & Preachers

Over 400 UK imams reject new extremism definition targeting Muslim groups Religious scholars accuse government of 'divisive tactics' and attempting to crack down on groups opposed to Israeli actions against Palestinians

(Middle East Eye) Over 400 British imams and religious scholars have signed a letter rejecting a new UK government definition of extremism that targeted several British Muslim organisations. Last week, Communities Secretary Michael Gove announced a contentious new definition of extremism, though the […]

Government & Politics

FBI: Since Oct. 7, ‘almost every major terrorist org in world’ has threatened US 'We’ve also seen an uptick in threats against the Jewish community here in the United States and abroad,' said Robert Wells, assistant director of the FBI’s counterterrorism division.

(JNS) The United States has been in a “heightened terrorism threat environment” since Hamas’s Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel, and “almost every major terrorist organization in the world,” including Al-Qaeda and ISIS, have called for terror attacks against the United States, […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Biden nomination of the first Muslim American to a federal appeals court in peril Two Democratic senators said they will oppose the nomination of Adeel Mangi to the powerful 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

(NBC) President Joe Biden’s nomination of Adeel Mangi to be a powerful U.S. circuit court judge is in peril after two Senate Democrats announced they will oppose his nomination. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., have said they will […]

Government & Politics

Social media giants compelled by eSafety commissioner to report on efforts to combat terrorist and violent extremist material

(ABC-Australia) Australia’s eSafety commissioner has put the big social media companies on notice, demanding they do better to stop the proliferation of violent extremist material and activity on their platforms. Julie Inman Grant said YouTube-owner Google, Meta (owner of Facebook and Instagram), […]

Demonstrations

Germany detains two IS suspects over Swedish attack plan German police have arrested two suspected Islamists for allegedly planning a firearms attack near the Swedish parliament.

(Deutsche Welle) Germany’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday said two suspected supporters of the so-called “Islamic State” (IS) jihadist militia had been arrested in the central German state of Thuringia. Prosecutors allege that the two Afghan nationals had hatched a plot to carry out an attack […]

Employment

Report: UK group probed for urging Muslim civil servants to spread anti-Israel views Civil Service Muslim Network suspended by deputy PM pending findings; its webinars found to portray Gaza war as fight between ‘good’ Hamas and ‘evil’ Israel, use antisemitic tropes

(Times of Israel) A British network that represents and supports Muslim civil servants was suspended by the government pending an investigation, after it was accused of trying to influence members to force the United Kingdom to change its stance on the Israel-Hamas […]

Government & Politics

Confusion over CAIR’s role in planned Biden meeting with Muslim leaders in Chicago The White House claims no one from CAIR was invited, but the group organized a letter claiming otherwise

(Jewish Insider) The White House was snubbed this week by the Muslim community in Chicago after Biden administration officials sought a meeting with Muslim, Arab and Palestinian American leaders. At least, that’s what several Muslim advocacy groups said on Thursday. More than […]

Government & Politics

White House eyeing a scaled-down Ramadan reception this year Anger over the war in Gaza is clouding the traditional Eid al-Fitr celebration.

(Politico) The White House is considering a scaled-down version of its traditional ceremony marking the end of Ramadan next month, after Muslim leaders warned aides that people would decline invitations in objection to the president’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war. Typically, the […]

Government & Politics

Groups accused of ‘extremism’ hit back at Michael Gove and say re-assessment ‘will motivate us’ The communities secretary named five organisations that will be re-assessed against the government's new definition of extremism — and one has now threatened legal action.

(Sky News) Two groups set to be re-assessed under the government’s new definition of extremism have hit back at Michael Gove — with one saying the minister’s latest move will only bolster their organisation. Speaking in the Commons on Thursday, the communities […]

Government & Politics

Michael Gove names far-right and Islamist groups which could fall under fresh extremism definition The communities secretary insisted the government has no intention of restricting 'freedom of expression, religion or belief,' as critics warned the new definition could have a 'chilling effect' on free speech.

(Sky News) Michael Gove has named five groups that will be re-assessed as a result of the government’s new definition of extremism. Speaking in the Commons, the communities secretary said two far-right organisations — the British National Socialist Movement and the Patriotic […]

Demonstrations

Michigan Arab and Muslim leaders fuming after second Biden visit this year with no meeting President Joe Biden faces pushback and protest over his support for Israel amid its military action in Gaza.

(NBC) For the second time this year, President Joe Biden visited Michigan without any in-person meetings with members of its Arab American or Muslim communities as he faces protests at campaign events and at the ballot box over Israel’s military action in […]

Government & Politics

Arab, Muslim and Palestinian leaders refuse to meet with White House aides in Chicago The protests continue, this time in the Windy City.

(Politico) More than three dozen Arab, Muslim and Palestinian-American leaders blasted a White House effort to meet with community organizations in Chicago over the administration’s position on the Israel-Hamas conflict. In a joint letter addressed to the White House, the groups criticized […]

Government & Politics

New extremism definition unveiled because ‘democracy at risk from far-right and Islamist extremists’ Michael Gove updates the description to include conduct that falls short of criminality, but the government still deems 'unacceptable.'

(Sky News) The government has unveiled its new definition of extremism despite warnings it could have a “chilling effect” on free speech. Michael Gove, the communities secretary, has updated the definition as part of a drive to clamp down on the Islamist […]

Government & Politics

Tower Hamlets Council refuses to disclose how many Palestinian flags it has taken down In response to a freedom of information request asking how many Palestinian flags it had taken down following complaints by residents Tower Hamlets said disclosure could 'endanger the safety of individuals'

(Jewish News) An East London council has refused to answer a freedom of information (FOI) request asking to know how many Palestinian flags they have removed from lamp posts and other public property in the borough on the grounds that to do […]

Government & Politics

Government’s new extremism definition will ‘vilify the wrong people,’ warn Muslim organisations Groups say the new definition 'signals an attack on civil liberties by attacking law-abiding individuals and groups that oppose government policy' by labelling them as 'extremist.'

(Sky News) The government’s proposal to redefine extremism will “vilify the wrong people” and “risk more division,” according to a coalition of Muslim organisations. Signatories include groups which fear they may fall under the new definition announced as part of the government’s […]

Government & Politics

Amnesty International worried over Palestinian resident of Italy’s possible extradition to Israel Anan Ya’eesh arrested in January on charges of conspiring to commit terrorist acts

(Anadolu) Amnesty International expressed “deep concern” Monday over the possible extradition to Israel of a Palestinian man who is a legal resident of Italy. Anan Ya’eesh, originally from Tulkarem in the West Bank, was arrested in January for allegedly being part of […]