Issues in Politics
French Supreme Court Upholds Hijab Ban in Football Games: Another Affront to Religious Freedom
On Thursday, 29th June 2023, the Council of State (Conseil d’Etat) the highest administrative court in France, upheld a ban on Muslim women football players wearing hijab during all matches organized by the French Football Federation (FFF).[fn]https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/top-french-court-upholds-ban-wearing-hijab-during-soccer-games-2023-06-29/[/fn] The case was brought before the Council of State on 26th June 2023. [fn]https://www.marianne.net/societe/laicite-et-religions/port-du-hijab-dans-le-foot-le-conseil-detat-denonce-des-attaques-contre-lindependance-de-la-justice [/fn] after the…
The Western Criticisms of Qatar: Double standard or on point?
Qatar is currently hosting the 2022 FIFA (Fédération internationale de Football Association, meaning International Association Football Federation) World Cup, after successfully securing the bid in 2010. They are the first Middle Eastern (and Muslim) host of the tournament following FIFA’s appeal to take the World Cup to a region where football is both popular, and…
No working definition of Islamophobia for the UK Government: Implications and Reactions
Tuesday 1st November was the beginning of the tenth Islamophobia awareness month, a campaign founded in 2012 by MEND (Muslim Engagement and Development) and partner organisations which aims to “showcase the positive contributions of Muslims as well as raise awareness of Islamophobia in society”1. The campaign theme for 2022 is “#TacklingDenial” of Islamophobia to raise…
Black and Muslim in the UK :Between Invisibility and Over Exposure
The 22nd of September saw the release of the latest report by the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) in collaboration with Everyday Muslim Archive and Heritage Initiative (an archive which documents and preserves UK Muslim experiences). Titled “Race, Faith and Community in Contemporary Britain”, the report shines a light on the heritage, perspectives, contributions and…
King Charles III and Islam : Between Colonial Past and Islamophilia
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8th September 2022, King Charles III (formerly The Prince of Wales and Queen Elizabeth’s eldest son) ascended to the throne1. The passing of Queen Elizabeth II – the longest reigning monarch in the history of the UK – is a rare and historic moment, and while many…