News and Analysis on Islam in Europe and North America
{The government has backed a new body for Muslims which says not enough has been done to tackle extremism}. By Dominic Casciani LONDON – Politicians from the main parties welcomed the launch of the Sufi Muslim Council at Westminster in London. The group’s leaders say that it represents a silent majority frustrated with slow progress
PARIS – Dalil Boubakeur, president of the French Muslim Council, said that Muslims refuse to continue to be lumped together “with extremists, with fanatics, or with terrorists”. Boubakeur and Abdekkader Bouazza, president of one of the eight regional federations that comprise the Council, delivered a strong statement in support of a modern, tolerant, liberal, republican,
The Muslim Council has so far failed to resolve its internal crisis over representation. The dispute centers around the representation given to the FNMF (National Federation of French Muslims) which tends to be associated with Moroccans. Currently no solution is available, and Council functions are being delayed, but officialy think it should be resolved soon.
In a recent communication, the French Muslim Council (CFCM), whose charge is to address only questions linked expressly to religious practice, seemed to refuse the French political parties the right to criticize or even to address the question of French Islam with regards to the presidential election.
By MICHAEL McDONOUGH LONDON – A prominent British Muslim warned lawmakers Monday that proposals for tough new anti-terror laws could undermine the Muslim community’s willingness to cooperate in fighting terror. Abdurahman Jafar, a senior member of the Muslim Council of Britain, expressed concern about the Terror Bill, which was drawn up in the wake of