The imam at the Al Badr mosque in Meaux (Seine-et-Marne) is under investigation for performing religious marriage ceremonies prior to the civil ceremonies, and for the falsely collecting unemployment assistance. Nourdine Mamoun, of French nationality, has been charged with undertaking eight illegal marriages between January 2006 and December 2007 and for unjustly receiving monthly social…
The Scottish-Islamic Foundation have appointed Scotland’s first national Muslim youth development officer. Faisal Hussein has been selected to fulfill the role for the next three years. The job’s remit is to support, extend and network current provision for Muslim youth across Scotland. This includes working with local groups as well as mosques. The post was…
The Greater Manchester MP at the centre of a row over Muslim women wearing a veil has been named the new immigration minister. Phil Woolas, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, prompted anger in some sections of the Muslim community two years ago when he said some people could find veils `frightening and intimidating’. And…
The Molenbeek, the heavily Muslim and immigrant neighborhood of Brussels, is facing a changing image. While many have previously considered Molenbeek a place to be avoided because of an image of crime and foreigners, many are praising the neighborhood as a success story. Local mayor Philippe Moureaux said that the area is a positive model…
A report entitled “Freedom of Speech in Jihad Analysis: Debunking the Myth of Offensive Words” written by unnamed civilian analysts and contractors for the US Central Command has said that words like ‘jihad’ and ‘Islamist’ are needed in discussing 21st century terrorism issues. The report added that federal agencies which avoid such words are “soft-pedaling”…
