Nomination of German Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Sparks Controversy

The highly controversial nomination of publicist Ferda Ataman as federal anti-discrimination commissioner,  has led to the postponing of the election. The Commissioner  is the head of the Anti-Discrimination Agency (Antidiskriminierungsstelle), affiliated with the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth . Up until this year, the Commmissioner was appointed by the Federal…

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Center for Global Policy report suggests integration experience of European Muslims provides lessons for American Muslims

A new ‘special report’ by the Center for Global Policy [CGP] has been released, titled ‘Muslims in Western Europe and the United States’. CGP describes itself as the “first independent, non-partisan American think tank working exclusively on issues at the intersection of U.S. foreign policy and the geopolitics of Muslim-majority countries”. The report examines issues…

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Top functionary of Germany’s DİTİB attempts (and fails) to run for the AKP in Turkey’s elections

Former DİTİB secretary general, Bekir Alboğa, has announced his intention to run for a seat in Turkey’s parliament in the upcoming June 2018 elections. Alboğa, who had led DİTİB as Secretary General from 2012 to 2017, is seeking a place on the AKP ballot, the party of Turkish President Erdoğan. The case is particularly salient,…

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BBC Radio 4’s ‘Too Young to Veil?’ examines controversy around primary school age girls wearing the hijab

Shaimaa Khalil discusses the rising trend in the UK of primary school girls wearing the hijab, whether there is a need for concern about this, and who, if anyone, has the right to decide what young girls wear.

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German policy-makers contemplate hijab ban for girls under the age of 14

The state government of North-Rhine Westphalia (NRW), the most populous of Germany’s 16 federal states, is contemplating following the Austrian lead and banning girls under the age of 14 from wearing a hijab. The proponents of this prohibition have been vague on where it is supposed to apply. Some have spoken of a potential ban…

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