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…

Share Button
Read More

In the midst of corona 19, the decision to close mosques is proving difficult for some.

In the midst of changing government policy as it deals with Covid 19, the United Kingdom has found itself in the midst of confusion as instructions has changed and ranged from continuing as normal, social distancing, keeping schools open, then closing them and the enforcement of the ban on bars and restaurants. While a number…

Share Button
Read More

German Muslims’ struggle for participation in local politics

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…

Share Button
Read More

The struggle over ‘British Fundamental Values’

“British Fundamental Values”, a concept introduced almost five years ago, in June 2015, by the then-education secretary Michael Gove, has remained at the centre of policy and debate with regards to education, integration and the Muslim community in Britain. The idea was introduced as part of the government’s response to the Trojan Horse Affair, where…

Share Button
Read More

Head of French Islam representative bodies: between novelties and continuity

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…

Share Button
Read More