“Sharia loans” in Norway?

August 12, 2010 Several Norwegian banks are considering introducing interest-free loans, to circumvent the prohibition of interest for Muslims. In this way they want to reach out to a new and growing customer group. Big banks such as DnB NOR, Nordea and Sparebank 1 confirm that they plan to offer such loans. “In a few…

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No sharia council in Norway

Earlier this week a debate broke out after representatives of as well the Norwegian Islamic Council as the Norwegian court of law said they might be open for a national sharia council, judging in family matters. A number of politicians, as well as Muslim representatives, has spoken against such an institution. Foreign minister Jonas Gahr Störe…

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Imam education in Norway

The faculty of Theology at Oslo University have applied for funding to create an Imam education program. Four years ago Oslo University delivered the same suggestion, and the Norwegian government was positive to such suggestions. Even so, the university did not follow through with their application. Islamic Council and Norway’s Muslim Student Organization are encouraging…

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Disunity in the run-up to the German Islam Conference

The German Islam Conference, a much-valued institution that brings together Islamic associations, the Interior Ministry and representatives from politics and public life, is currently at stake. It will take place – probably on May 17 – but the list of participants has not been finalized, after a controversy between Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière and…

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Muslim Manifest against Muslim Manifest

Muhammad Abdulhamid, Linda Noor and Basim Ghozlan, editors of islam.no repudiate Trond Ali Linstad’s “Muslim Manifest” of January 25. They ask Linstad who has given him the authority to speak for Muslims in Norway, and say he represents no one but himself. The manifest, they continue, is a patchwork of incoherent statements, and most readers…

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