Discrimination and Xenophobia
Norway: Previous approval on headscarves for Muslim police women recalled
The Norwegian government has rescinded its decision concerning its earlier approval to permit Muslim police women to wear a hijab as part of their uniform. Justice Minister Knut Storberget said Wednesday that he would reexamine an earlier decision to allow Muslim women to join the police force while donning their hijab. “In light of the…
Austria starts to crack down on extremist Islam teachers
By withdrawing the teaching licence of an anti-Semitic Islam religion teacher on Thursday, Austria’s education ministry has started to implement measures against extremist Muslim educators. The teacher had told his students at a Vienna secondary school not to buy from a list of international companies, because they were “Jewish.” Thursday’s decision was the latest development…
Dutch Politician Says He Will Defy British Ban
Populist Dutch politician Geert Wilders, who made the anti-Muslim film “Fitna,” says he will defy a letter from Britain’s Home Office asking him to stay away from the country. The letter has sparked what may become major diplomatic row between the two EU member states. Dutch populist politician Geert Wilders, who currently faces prosecution in…
Sweden: Muslim woman sues college over ban on face-covering
A Muslim woman in Stockholm has filed a report and suit against an adult education college in Spanga, after being told that she could not wear an Islamic headscarf and face-covering in class. The woman, who covers not only her hair but wears a niqab which covers the entire face but the eyes, has reported…
National Front Leader Jean-Marie Le Pen creates controversy in Marseille
Announcing his intention to present himself in the 2010 regional elections in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, National Front leader Jean-Marie Le Pen made several “shocking” statements. He claimed that “mass immigration takes the form of an actual colonization.” He added that while today there are 300,000 Muslims in Marseille, when there will be 800,000, the mayor will…