In many ways, German politics is notable for its lack of diversity. For instance, no minister in the current government is non-white; none of them possess what in Germany is referred to as a ‘migration background’ – a slippery term that in politico-administrative parlance refers to everyone with at least one parent born outside of…
On February 18, French President Emmanuel Macron held his first speech aiming at fighting “separatism” in France. Announced a few months ago, this one and an half hour discourse finally took place on the eve of municipal elections during a visit of the President in Mulhouse, a 15 000 inhabitants city in east France. The choice…
On January 18, Mila, a 16 years old teenager attacked Islam in reaction to insults she received on her Instagram account, opening a major debate in French society on the « right to blasphemy ». Originating from the Lyon’s region, Mila was criticized online “in the name of Allah” because of her sexual orientation, which led her…
In January, major changes occurred in central institutions in charge of the official representation of French Islam. Firstly, the rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris [La Grande Mosquéede Paris], Dalil Boubakeur, unexpectedly resigned after a 28 years mandate, invoking personal reasons. Chems-eddine Hafiz, was appointed his successor few days later. Under Algerian influence, the…
The State of Iowa, the location of the first Democratic primary contest last week saw Mosques being used for the first time as caucus sites. The Iowa Democratic party approved five mosques to be used in the area of Des Moines, to serve as official satellite caucus locations; where party gatherings can take place for…
