Leila Fadel writes in her May National Geographic article that, “Today an estimated 3.45 million Muslims in America are living in a climate of hostility, their faith distorted by violent extremists on one end and an anti-Muslim movement on the other”, yet American Muslims are thriving. Her article is part of the National Geographic series, Diversity in America, which covers … [Read more...] about National Geographic article celebrates the diversity of American Muslims
freedom of religion
Switzerland to Muslim Students: Shake Your Teacher’s Hand or Pay $5,000
25 May 2016 When two teenage Muslim students from Syria told their school in Switzerland that to shake their female teacher’s hand would violate their religious beliefs, administrators were sympathetic. So they made an exception: Unlike the school’s other students, who shake each teacher’s hand at the beginning and end of each class period, the two boys would be exempt from … [Read more...] about Switzerland to Muslim Students: Shake Your Teacher’s Hand or Pay $5,000
Burqa law ban in Catalonia
In 2010 a ban against women wearing burqas in public buildings was approved by the city of Lleida in Catalonia. Women who would disobey such ban would incur in a fine between €300 and €600. The ban was adopted by several other localities in the area on the basis of public space control and public safety. Later in 2013, all bans against the use of burqas and niqab in the … [Read more...] about Burqa law ban in Catalonia
Despite being the second largest religion in Italy, Muslims still have no unified front
February 11, 2014 Even though Islam is the second largest religion in Italy, it still lacks a recognized national representational body. This lack of a cohesive front was strongly emphasized in a conference on Islam in Italy, held at the University of Rome. “Istat data tell us that today there are about 1.7 million Muslims in Italy” says Izzedin Elzir, imam of … [Read more...] about Despite being the second largest religion in Italy, Muslims still have no unified front
Populist party “Alternative for Germany” initiates debate about Islam
November 7, 2013 Bernd Lucke, speaker of the new party “Alternative for Germany” (AFD), has questioned the comments of former president Christian Wulff who positioned Islam as an integral part of Germany. Since its foundation in February 2013, the party mainly focused on economic issues such as the Euro, the economic crisis and the free market. The party represents … [Read more...] about Populist party “Alternative for Germany” initiates debate about Islam