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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

Children & Teens

Finnish hospitals see more babies born to mothers with FGM Leading Finnish obstetricians are calling on doctors to become more knowledgeable of female genital mutilation, as more circumcised women give birth in Finland.

(Yle) Finland has started tallying births by circumcised mothers as the medical community is increasingly dealing with delivery complications caused by female genital mutilation, FGM. Päivi Polo, who heads the women’s clinic at Turku University Hospital, told Yle she sees 1-2 circumcised […]

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 […]

Government & Politics

Linda Sarsour won’t say if she believes accusation Ellison abused his ex-girlfriend The Women's March organizer has vocally protested Kavanaugh's confirmation, supported accusers

(Free Beacon) Women’s March organizer and activist Linda Sarsour ignored a question on Friday about whether she believes Karen Monahan, Democratic National Committee deputy chair Keith Ellison’s ex-girlfriend who accused the Minnesota Democrat of physically and emotionally abusing her. Monahan accused Ellison in […]

Clothing

French and values tests not the way to integrate newcomers, Quebec immigrants say Premier-designate confirms plan to cut immigration 20% next year

(CBC) Newcomers to Quebec and their advocates say the premier-designate is taking the wrong approach to integrating immigrants, after François Legault said he will proceed next year with Coalition Avenir Québec’s plan to cut immigration levels by 20 per cent. At his first news conference as incoming premier, Legault confirmed […]