Academics & Education

Germany trains new generation of Muslim leaders In a groundbreaking move, Germany trains its own Muslim religious leaders, fostering a deeper connection with local communities. Muslim associations across the country are seeing a generational change and reorientation.

(Deutsche Welle) Osman Soyer is a religious affairs officer who was sworn into office this month in the Sehitlik Mosque in Berlin’s Neukölln district. He is one of 28 young men and women who have been trained as “religious representatives” by DITIB, […]

Clerics & Preachers

France to cease acceptance of foreign-appointed imams starting 2024 France’s history of controversial measures has fueled concerns that this latest move is a continuation of policies targeting Islamic practices.

(Morocco World News) French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has announced that France will no longer accept new “detached imams” from foreign countries starting on January 1, 2024. The announcement follows President Emmanuel Macron’s 2020 decision to end the presence of around 300 […]

Demonstrations

‘Clash of civilizations’ looms over EU elections Far-right parties are cashing in on decades of campaigning against Islam and migration, as they move to the center ground.

(Politico) Geert Wilders may be just the tip of the iceberg. Following the anti-Islam politician’s shock election win in the Netherlands, European elites are nervously scanning the political landscape for signs of what’s to come — including further surprise wins from far-right […]

Demonstrations

French Jews worry Muslim unrest could see Macron flip on Israel, putting them at risk Reversing his stated support for Israel, the president demanded an end to ‘killing babies,’ triggering fears that he’s bowing to local pressures and thus inciting antisemitism

(Times of Israel) On a solidarity visit to Israel last month, French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to stand by Israel for the duration of its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. “I want to assure you that you will not be […]

Academics & Education

Killing of French teacher inflames tensions over security, immigration A string of violent attacks by foreigners over recent years has reignited the immigration debate in France.

(Politico) Just three days after an Islamist stabbed a French teacher to death, an already fierce discussion on immigration in France has become a lot more heated. The killing last Friday of Dominique Bernard, a high school teacher in Arras, has emotionally […]

Arts & Entertainment

Antisemitism accusations over rapper split France’s left A tweet by the rapper Médine is dividing parties in the hard left-Green Nupes coalition that currently leads in French polls.

(Politico) The left’s antisemitism problem has taken center-stage in France. The summer jamborees of the French Green party and the hard left were supposed to be opportunities to discuss climate change, wealth inequalities and next year’s European elections in a festive, holiday […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Cage director Muhammad Rabbani banned from France as a ‘threat to public order’ Campaign group leader held for 24 hours before being sent back to London

(National-UAE) France has banned the director of campaign group Cage from entering the country and accused him of spreading conspiracy theories about “Islamophobic persecution.” Muhammad Rabbani arrived in Paris last Tuesday but was detained for 24 hours before being sent back to […]

Government & Politics

Greece to the EU: Come help stop migrant boats before they get here ‘These tragedies will continue to happen unless we stop departures from Libya,’ Greece’s migration minister told POLITICO following a shipwreck that killed hundreds.

(Politico) Greece wants the EU to stop migrant boats before they even get to Europe. In an interview with POLITICO, newly appointed Greek Migration Minister Dimitris Kairidis called on the EU to resume an operation that aims to halt migrants before leaving […]

Children & Teens

Netanyahu condemns ‘waves of antisemitism’ by rioters in France 'We support the French government in its fight against the scourge of antisemitism,' says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

(JNS) Israel is closely monitoring and deeply concerned about “waves of antisemitism sweeping over France,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during Sunday’s weekly Cabinet meeting. “In recent days, we have witnessed criminal assaults against Jewish targets. We strongly condemn these attacks […]

Children & Teens

France stabbing: Attacker denied Swedish citizenship over Syrian army service Court documents show that Abdelmasih Hanoun was 'on a mission' in Kiswa, where protesters were killed in the early stages of the uprising

(National-UAE) Swedish court documents show that a Syrian man who attacked toddlers with a knife in a park in south-east France last month served in the Syrian Armed Forces in the early years of the civil war, leading to his citizenship being […]