News: Europe

Academics & Education

Germany’s imam quandary: Educate, don’t import Ending foreign influence on Muslim religious leaders' education is a long-term goal for the German government. A new study might lead the way for training local imams, if all parties involved are willing to participate.

June 18, 2019   

(Deutsche Welle) A new report published Tuesday proposes a concrete solution to Germany’s ongoing dilemma about how to educate Islamic religious leaders. The goal is to create a seminar that would offer graduates of Islamic theology institutes in Germany the possibility to […]

Government & Politics

Former Romanian president, now MEP: ‘EU seems to tell us we must live with Muslim invasion’ Tough action is needed to combat the criminal gangs running migrant operations, says Traian Băsescu.

June 18, 2019   

(Politico) Former Romanian President Traian Băsescu, newly elected as an MEP as part of the European People’s Party, slammed EU inaction on migration and what he sees as the bloc’s inability to protect its borders. “The EU, through its lack of action, seems […]

Clerics & Preachers

Rivlin meets delegation of European Muslim leaders in Jerusalem President and group of imams and activists from France and Belgium discuss anti-Semitism, value of interfaith dialogue

June 16, 2019   

(Times of Israel) President Reuven Rivlin on Sunday met with a delegation of French imams and French and Belgian Muslim activists in Jerusalem. The group was headed by Hassen [Chalghoumi], an imam well-known in France for his involvement in interfaith initiatives. The […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Court: Helsinki breaks contract talks with Muslim recruit who wanted prayer breaks Three city officials face labour discrimination charges after ending contract talks with a new hire over prayer breaks.

June 14, 2019   

(Yle) Three civil servants with Helsinki City’s Urban Environment Division face labour discrimination and dereliction of duty charges in Helsinki District Court after failing to finalise an employment contract with a new hire after he said he was a practicing Muslim and […]

Clerics & Preachers

No to BDS: French Muslim leaders tour northern West Bank as guests of settlers Cleric Hassen Chalghoumi, known for his close ties to French Jews, says anti-Israel boycott efforts run contrary to Quranic law

June 14, 2019   

(Times of Israel) A group of French imams toured the northern West Bank Thursday on the invitation of settler leaders. One of them, Hassen Chalghoumi, said support of boycotts of Israel ran against Quranic law. Chalghoumi, who is well-known in France for […]

Clerics & Preachers

Sweden to deport Iraqi imam: reports

June 13, 2019   

(AFP) Sweden is to deport three foreigners including an Iraqi imam suspected of playing a central role in an Islamist movement, media reports said Wednesday, quoting the Swedish migration office. Counter-terrorism police arrested Abu Raad, the imam of a mosque in the […]

Clerics & Preachers

French imam in Jerusalem: Anti-Zionism is antisemitism Hassen Chalghoumi is currently leading a delegation of French and Belgian Muslims in Israel to improve Muslim-Jewish ties.

June 13, 2019 and   

(Jerusalem Post) French Imam Hassen Chalghoumi, currently heading a delegation of French Muslims in Israel, said on Wednesday that anti-Zionism is antisemitism, and blamed the Muslim Brotherhood for incitement against Jews in France and Belgium. Chalghoumi is on his second visit to […]