Government & Politics

These two could soon be the first Muslim women to serve in Congress A Palestinian-American from Michigan and a Somali-American from Minnesota are poised to become the first Muslim women to become members of the U.S. House.

(Atlantic) Rashida Tlaib will become the first Muslim American and Palestinian woman elected to the House of Representatives in November — but she’d rather talk about the heavy-duty trucks that roll through her neighborhood in Detroit. Industrial pollution permeates the air and […]

Banks & Banking

2 men defrauded Shariah-compliant mortgage-holders of millions of dollars, crown tells trial Omar Kalair pocketed money from his mortgage company before it went bankrupt, crown alleges

(CBC) The trial of two men charged with defrauding Muslim homeowners got underway in Toronto courtroom this week with the crown accusing the defendants of bilking their clients of millions of dollars. Omar Kalair and co-accused Yusuf Panchbhaya are standing trial in […]

Arts & Entertainment

WGF, MPAC host panel on creating authentic representation for Muslims in film and TV 'If I'm the Muslim writer in the room and I feel like it's going in a certain way and the Muslim character is moving into a certain stereotype, I have the responsibility to voice my opinion,' shared 'S.W.A.T.' writer Munis Rashid at the Hollywood panel.

(Hollywood Reporter) On Thursday evening, an industry panel featuring writers, actors and practicing entertainment lawyers discussed ways in which Muslims and the Islamic faith have been represented through film and television as well as offering ideas on how to ensure better and […]

Academics & Education

Westmount High teachers protest CAQ’s religious-garb ‘slippery slope’ 'What I look like has no affect on my teaching whatsoever. … You start with one exclusion and it’s a slippery slope downward.'

(Montreal Gazette) Teachers at Westmount High School took to the street Thursday to protest the incoming Coalition Avenir Québec’s proposed religious neutrality laws, on the day the new government was officially sworn in. The English Montreal School Board, which represents more than […]

Children & Teens

He counseled a teen for years, but she says he was grooming her for sex A young woman filed a lawsuit and a police report accusing a Texas imam of sexual misconduct. Those who know her say it’s a landmark moment for Muslims saying #MeToo.

(BuzzFeed) Late at night on Dec. 5, 2016, the respected imam of one of the biggest mosques in Texas allegedly invited an 18-year-old to a prepaid room at the Motel 6 in Grand Prairie. The young woman, identified as Jane Doe in […]

Academics & Education

Charles Taylor slams CAQ plan to ban religious symbols for some civil servants Co-author of Bouchard-Taylor report calls CAQ plan 'ridiculous,' 'dishonest' and 'a lot of blather'

(CBC) Philosopher Charles Taylor says the new CAQ government “doesn’t get the point” of the report he co-authored that’s been frequently cited by the CAQ as justification for its controversial plan to ban the wearing of religious symbols by some civil servants. […]

Academics & Education

Westmount High teachers to rally against CAQ religious symbols ban Protest 'to send a clear message to the new government' is set for Thursday morning in front of the school.

(Montreal Gazette) Four years after staging protests against the Parti Québécois’s proposed charter of values, teachers at Westmount High School are planning to rally against the Coalition Avenir Québec plan to bar public servants in positions of authority from wearing religious symbols. […]

Interfaith

Twitter won’t suspend Louis Farrakhan for his tweet comparing Jews to insects The company had previously removed Farrakhan’s special verified status after a previous anti-Semitic tweet.

(BuzzFeed) Twitter will not suspend controversial Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan for a tweet comparing Jews to insects, the company said in a statement to BuzzFeed News. Farrakhan, who has been dogged by accusations of anti-Semitism throughout his career, yesterday tweeted […]

Demonstrations

Inaugural V-March sheds light on female genital mutilation in NYC Local advocates marched to mobilize city agencies to provide services for victims of female genital mutilation which affects 65,000 women in NYC.

(Brooklyn Reader) The New York Coalition to End Female Genital Mutilation hosted the inaugural V-March on Saturday to call on city agencies to organize a coordinated response to end female genital mutilation (FGM). The V-March, a celebration of women’s “voices, victories and […]

Arts & Entertainment

Canada’s first professional Muslim theatre company celebrates ‘the common thread that ties us’ As anti-Muslim sentiment rises in Quebec, Montreal's Silk Road Theatre hopes to help bring people together

(CBC) Montreal-based Silk Road Institute recently made history when it staged the play The Domestic Crusaders as the inaugural production for its new sub-company the Silk Road Theatre Company. In doing so, it officially became Canada’s first professional theatre company dedicated to celebrating Muslim stories. Supported by […]

Academics & Education

New Quebec government open to allowing existing teachers who wear religious symbols to keep their jobs But Coalition Avenir Québec has no intention of removing crucifix from National Assembly, spokesperson says

(CBC) After a week of controversy, Quebec’s incoming Coalition Avenir Québec government is opening the door a crack to compromise on its plan to ban some civil servants from wearing religious symbols. The CAQ said last week it would be prepared to fire teachers who refuse to […]