Discrimination and Xenophobia
Muslim woman from sues Rotterdam gym for headscarf ban
A gym in Rotterdam received a lawsuit from a Muslim woman, because she was told that she could not train at the facility while wearing a headscarf. The 27-year old woman does not intend to back down: “There are already various decisions by the CGB on this topic. This nationally operating gym has a general…
From the left, a call to end the current Dutch notion of tolerance
The country’s biggest left-wing political group, the Labor Party, called for an end to the failed model of Dutch “tolerance.” The cited that the current model “doesn’t work anymore” and stated “the mistake we can never repeat is stifling criticism of cultures and religions for reasons of tolerance.” The Labor party’s spokesperson, Lilianne Plouman denounced…
German Muslims oppose new record law
An Islamic group has slammed a new law which stops German Muslims from stating their religion in their birth and marriage certificates. Aiman Mazyek, general secretary of the Central Council of Muslims in Germany (Zentralrat der Muslime in Deutschland, ZMD) criticized the change in the law, stressing that it was “unacceptable”. “The change is opposed…
Economic woes bring increasing tensions between immigrants and Spaniards
As economic crisis spreads in much of the world, tensions between immigrants and Spaniards are rising as unemployment rises. The deterioration of the Spanish economy has resulted in increasing unemployment for immigrants who are often hired to do seasonal work in the country. The decrease in job availability is resulting in rising competition between immigrants…
Debating the shape of Islam in Europe
The German architect who designed an ambitious, if controversial, mosque in Cologne cannot wait for construction to begin in the new year so that he can watch his dream take physical shape. Paul Bohm, a 49-year-old non-practising Catholic, admits to being nervous, but proud of what he has envisioned. He has good reason. His is…