Issues in Politics
The Dutch right wing’s use of social media to spread anti-Islam rhetoric
Geert Wilders, leader of the right-wing Party for Freedom in the Netherlands (Partij voor de Vrijheid in Dutch, or PVV), shared a video clip on Twitter earlier this month attacking Islam and its traditions. In the video, released on 12 April – coinciding with the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan – the…
Towards the Ban of the Veil for French Women under 18?
Early April, the French Senate started to discuss the Bill aiming at reinforcing the Republican principles (a novlangue expression to talk about the Bill against “separatism”). In the French legislative system, two chambers are in charge : first the National Assembly, then the Senate that can propose amendments, and third a shared reading of the…
The potential ban of halal chicken in France : a misinterpretation by some imams and a generational gap between Muslims?
Last week in a joined statement by – the Great Mosques of Paris, Evry and Lyon – announced that it would not be possible anymore to get halal poultry in France. They condemned the French government for planning to ban halal slaughtering by the summer 2021. These three mosques historically benefit from a legal agreement to certify…
Muslim Council of Britain elects first female leader
The Muslim Council of Britain has elected its first female leader. Zara Mohammed, 29 from Glasgow, said it was an “honour” to be appointed as the new secretary general after winning the most votes in a poll of affiliate groups of the UK’s largest Muslim umbrella organisation. She succeeds Harun Khan, who completed a maximum…
French Law on “Republican Values” and Global Security Law: How they converge toward a criminalization of Islam
One bill and one law are currently garnering critique : the bill to Strengthen Republican Values and the Global Security Law. The Global Security Law aims at reorganizing the French security services made of three main components: the police, the military and the private security agencies[1]. Debates have rapidly focused on the 24th controversial article…