The communities secretary, John Denham, is to attempt a fresh start in the government’s relationship with British Muslims after acknowledging that mistakes have been made in the drive against violent extremism in the UK. Denham said he wanted to see a clear policy shift away from defining the government’s relationship with Muslim communities entirely in…
Like any rousing Islamic preacher, Muhammed Tahir ul-Qadri’s voice rises to a shout and his index finger jabs as he hammers home a point. But rather than angry calls for jihad (holy war) or a vitriolic denunciation of the West and its aggressions against Islam, Qadri’s message, equally forcefully delivered, is about moderation, peace, inclusion…
Six stowaways from Iraq and Afghanistan have been discovered in a truck by police in Rotterdam. The driver of the truck contacted police after hearing noises following a cargo pickup in the port of Callais, France. The stowaways, all between the ages of 16 and 23, have been turned over to the Alien Police.
The northern German state of Lower Saxony announced recently that it was establishing the country’s first academic department of Islamic theology. The department, to be based at the University of Osnabrueck, will provide a place for theological research and will offer training for future imams. The move reflects fresh efforts across Germany to address concerns…
Two members of the Netherlands’ PvDA in Slotervaart are opposing the plans of mayor Ahmed Marcouch to make homosexuality a discussable topic in Islamic circles. According to Marcouch, the position of gays is an issue which strongly moves the ‘ethnic supporters’ of politicians in Slotervaart. Miloud Bouzrou and Hassan Kattouss oppose the policy on the…
