News: Europe

Moscow shooting: At least 90 killed in ‘bloody terrorist attack’ at concert hall The Islamic State claimed responsibility. Moscow says 11 people have been detained in the attack.

(Politico) Gunmen stormed a rock concert near Moscow, killing at least 90 people and wounding more than 100 others, authorities said, in one of the deadliest terror attacks to hit Russia in years. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack […]

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 […]

Clothing

Appeals court rules police justified to forcibly remove hijabs from asylum seekers The two women — citing their religious beliefs — refused to remove their head coverings for police to take registration photos, which were required in order to process their asylum applications.

(Yle) The Court of Appeal in Turku has ruled that police officers were justified in their actions when they forcibly removed hijab head coverings from two female asylum seekers during an incident at a police station in the city of Hämeenlinna in […]

Academics & Education

Frankfurt teachers impose Ramadan rules on 5th graders Students were forbidden from drinking water in class because three of the 27 children were fasting.

(European Conservative) In the name of tolerance, diversity, and inclusion, some public school teachers in the Frankfurt metropolitan area in Germany are unilaterally imposing Islam — arguably the world’s most intolerant religion — on their pre-teen students. For the Islamic holy month […]

Academics & Education

65% of young Muslims ‘have better attitude towards Jews’ after Holocaust education Researchers at University of Kent spoke to 3,000 school pupils before they started the programme, after completing it, and again a year later.

(Jewish News) More than 65 percent of young Muslims feel more positively about Jewish people after taking part in Anne Frank Trust programmes, according to new research. The “Educating Against Prejudice” report by social psychologists at the University of Kent presents data […]

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 […]

Children & Teens

Record number of children arrested in UK over ‘terrorist-related activities’ Overall, 219 people were detained in 2023, up a third on previous year and highest figure since 2019

(National-UAE) More than 40 children were arrested in connection with alleged terrorism offences in the UK last year — the highest number since records began, official figures show. The Home Office said police made 219 arrests for terrorism-related activities in the 12 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Fasting

French Football Federation opposes match breaks for Muslim players in Ramadan This contrasts with the decisions of countries like England and Germany, who have allowed measures to give Muslim players a chance to break their fast before resuming the match.

(Morocco World News) The French Football Federation (FFF) has once again opposed the implementation of breaks during matches for Muslim players to break their fast during Ramadan. According to converging media reports, the FFF’s Federal Referees Commission (CFA) sent an email to […]

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 […]

Immigration

A new terror threat is emerging in Europe linked to Iran, Gaza war Security services are on edge as the Israel-Hamas conflict galvanizes new actors

(Wall Street Journal) Authorities in Europe say they have foiled several terror plots, some involving suspects posing as refugees, raising alarm about a growing array of threats from extremists. In one previously unreported investigation last December, police in Austria and Bosnia arrested […]

Government & Politics

French Reconquête launches European election campaign The national-conservative party calls for 'unveiling' of the extent of Islamisation of France and Europe.

(European Conservative) Éric Zemmour and Marion Maréchal officially launched their campaign for the European elections with a major rally in Paris on Sunday, March 10th, designed to recapture the heyday of its presidential campaign when the Reconquête party managed to gather thousands […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

UK terror attack survivors condemn anti-Muslim hatred in joint letter The signatories, including survivors and relatives of people who have been killed by extremists, have criticised some politicians for 'facilitating anti-Muslim hate.'

(Sky News) More than 50 victims of Islamist-inspired terror attacks, including the Manchester Arena bombing and Bataclan shooting, have joined together to call for an end to anti-Muslim hate. In a joint letter, they warn that it is the “height of irresponsibility” […]