Muslim Council of Britain elects first female leader

The Muslim Council of Britain has elected its first female leader. Zara Mohammed, 29 from Glasgow, said it was an “honour” to be appointed as the new secretary general after winning the most votes in a poll of affiliate groups of the UK’s largest Muslim umbrella organisation. She succeeds Harun Khan, who completed a maximum…

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Two Arson Attacks Against Mosques in Lyon Trigger a Debate on Religious Freedom versus Freedom of Speech

Two criminal fires targeting mosques in the Lyon urban area were reported. Fortunately, the damage remains material and there have been no human victims as both places were empty. However, such attacks contribute to create a climate of anxiety among French Muslims, who have denounced the lack of reaction from public authorities.  During the night…

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Between Relief and Caution: the Ease of Lockdown for French Muslims

On May the 23rd a decree  published in The Journal Officiel, has allowed religious services to resume. This decision followed the recommendation of the Conseil d’Etat, the highest legal French court, which qualified the prohibition of religious activities as “disproportionate”.  The organization of Eid el-Fitr, which took place on May the 24th, has raised several questions…

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Court case limiting ‘lockdown’ restrictions on religious services receives feeble echo in Germany

Internationally, a case at the Federal Constitutional Court surrounding German authorities’ ability to prohibit Friday prayers in the context of the Covid-19 outbreak has caused a bit of a stir. At issue is the question as to whether public authorities have the legal right to ban Friday prayers and other religious services during the so-called…

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Ramadan in Times of Covid-19 for French Muslims:

The holy month of Ramadan officially began Thursday, April 23rd of April in France, where millions of French Muslims are celebrating in unprecedented conditions. The current pandemic has led to the lockdown of the country at least until the 11th of May with no guarantees concerning the specifics of the re-opening. Places of worships are closed,…

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