Issues in Politics
Interview of Barack Obama With Le Figaro
In his first interview with with the French Media, President Obama notes his close friendship with French President Nicholas Sarkozy and his motivations for attempting a better dialogue between East and West. Obama adds that the United States is home to many Muslims, and therefore there is national interest for such dialogue. While bemoaning his…
French CNRS Researcher on Islam Comes Under Fire
French researcher Vincent Geisser, specialist of Muslims and the Muslim World in Aix-en-Provence at the CNRS (National Center of Scientific Research) will go before a disciplinary jury on June 29th for a recent controversy about an email he sent claiming research on Islam is persecuted by the national funding and research center.
Swiss Parliament Rejects Minaret Ban
The Swiss Senate overwhelmingly rejected on Friday, June 5, a proposal by right-wing parties for banning minarets in the central European country. “It is appalling to have a discussion in Switzerland about a minaret ban for ideological motives,” Radical Party Senator Dick Marty said, Swissinfo reported. By a 36-3 vote, the Senate rejected an initiative…
Hope for Muslims in Europe?
President Barack Obama’s speech in Cairo on Thursday may or may not succeed in rebuilding America’s fractured relationship with the Muslim world. But the US leader’s clear respect for Islam and Muslims as well as his plea for partnership, tolerance and respect for other faiths are music to the ears of many European Muslims who…
President Obama’s Speech in Cairo: A New Beginning
Included below is the beginning of the transcript from United States President Barack Obama’s speech in Cairo on June 4, 2009 on America’s relationship with Muslim communities around the world. PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you very much. Good afternoon. I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two…