News and Analysis on Islam in Europe and North America
Detainees with alleged al-Qaida links could be relocated to Bulgaria. As part of the process of deciding whether to oblige the US’s request for the transfer, the governments are working together so that all information regarding their legal status is disclosed. Prime Minister Boiko Borisov stated that taking an inmate would be a strong gesture
With the lowest turnout figures in European Parliament elections since 1979, the fear that racist and far-right parties would sweep the European elections did not materialise, although in the Netherlands, Austria, Britain and Hungary, they were quite successful. In Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Poland and Bulgaria, racist and far-right parties did worse than expected. In the
Call for Papers for the International Conference The administration of Islamic affairs and representation of Muslims in secular states have become hot issues in Western European debates on the social integration of Muslim citizens. South East Europe has over a century of experience in this area. Muslim communities in the region have developed well-established autochthonous
The Bulgarian government approved a draft bill banning hijab and other religious symbols in schools. “We express our disagreement and bitterness with this decision,” said Hussein Hafazov, of the Chief Mufti office. Hafazov also said that the move would increase community tensions in Bulgaria, citing arson attacks on mosques and other Muslim buildings, and growing
Sofia councilors from an ultra-nationalist party are demanding a referendum concerning the planned construction of a second mosque in the Bulgarian capital. The Ataka party argues that Muslims in Sofia already have one mosque and that this is sufficient. Ataka are opposed to any form of promotion of the Islamic faith or construction of mosques