New group, ‘Headscarf Brigade’ to fight discrimination in the workplace

A Dutch union is backing support for a new group, campaigning under the name “Headscarf Brigade,” which plans to campaign for the place of women’s religious freedom in Dutch life and work. Goals of the new group include campaigning for equal opportunities for Muslim women in the workforce, supporting their freedom to adopt the headscarf…

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Denmark: Criticism of religion is OK, says Muslim group

The results of a survey about freedom of speech caused tempers to flare in parliament, but many, including members of the Muslim community in Denmark, have voiced support for not banning criticism of religion. The Islamic Faith-Society strongly opposes a ban on criticism of religion. “It’s a bit of an admission of failure if people…

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    What happened to the Rushdie book burners?

    Twenty years ago Ayatollah Khomeini’s fatwa called on to kill the author Salman Rushdie after weeks of protests had been going on about one of his books. Many British Muslims despised The Satanic Verses for blaspheming the Prophet Muhammad and burned copies of Rushdie’s book on British streets. This aroused strong sentiments on all sides,…

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    European Islam: critics increasingly use the freedom of speech to provoke

    Europe thinks it has found a cogent way to spur the debate over the integration of its Muslim communities. Under the banner of free speech, Europeans have turned to satire and other forms of print and visual criticism to test Muslims’ willingness to accept Western values. But the re-printing of the Danish cartoons earlier this…

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    Ireland: Schools to allow hijab but not burqa under new rules

    Under new policy rules for uniforms in Irish schools, the hijab has been deemed allowed in schools, but the burka or other face coverings will be banned. Integration minister Conor Lenihan and education minister Batt O’Keeffe issued the joint recommendation after consulting and reviewing the legal positions in Ireland. A 1988 Education Act obliges schools…

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