News and Analysis on Islam in Europe and North America
According to Le Figaro, in the auditions for the use of the burqa and the niqab in France, several French deputies have reported a rise in the number of cases of rights being claimed by Muslims in workplaces, whether it be halal-appropriate menus, or not wanting to eat lunch with those who eat pork. The
Tareq Oubrou, imam in Bordeaux, has published a new book on his vision of “Occidental Islam” in Profession Imam (Albin Michel, 2009). Raised in Morocco in a non-practicing family, fifty-year old Oubrou claims that this Islam is capable of secularization theologically-speaking. He advocates a “minority Shariah” adapted to French laicite, wherein in the Western world
According to a new study on the workforce and Muslims in France published by anthropologist Dounia Bouzar, Allah a-t-il sa place dans l’entreprise? (Albin Michel, 2009), there are growing tensions related to requests for absenteeism on religious holidays. One third of French businesses, largely in the Parisian region, feel concerned about the matter. Bouzar also
In his new book Profession imâm (“The Imam’s Profession”, Albin Michel, 2009) Tareq Oubrou, theologian and Imam in Bordeaux, argues that “Muslims must adapt their practices to French society.” Oubrou claims that the privatization of religion in France encourages Muslims to emphasize their faiths, contributing to their social marginalization. He points to how Muslim women
For this historian, only just tolerated by the Tunisian regime, Islam is compatible with democracy, Muslims should free themselves from sharia, liberty is primary, and the pope therefore has the right to state his opinion. Benedict XVI has the right, “like everyone,” to express himself. Mohamed Talbi was furthermore not really surprised by the statements