The Socialist Party (PSOE) and the Muslim Party (UCDE) of Ceuta have refused to go ahead with their proposed union. Both political groups were discussing the possibility of a union as an alternative to the current local right-wing dominated city government. The UCDE demanded, as a condition of the union, control of either the Local…
Socialist Party mayor of Strasbourg Roland Ries’ private home was vandalized with Islamophobic and “anti-minaret” slogans. In November in the midst of the Swiss minaret banning referendum and controversy, Ries told reporters that there would be “no reason” to impose a similar minaret ban in Strasbourg, particularly for one currently under construction. The vandalism is…
A political battle is shaping up in France over whether fully-veiled Muslim women should be banned from appearing on the street or in any other public settings, a proposal already endorsed by many of President Nicolas Sarkozy’s rightwing allies. Sarkozy has said the head-to-toe garment is unwelcome on French soil. The leader of his party…
Christophe Caresche, PS (Socialist Party) deputy of Paris, has positioned himself against a law banning headscarves in public places, seeing it as an arm which could accelerate “an already marginal phenomenon.” While claiming that wearing the burqa and niqab “call into question women’s dignity in the public sphere,” a ban being pushed by UMP deputies…
In the context of the debate on French national identity in Charmes (Vosges), Nadine Morano, French secretary of State in charge of the family and of solidarity, declared to young French Muslims that they no longer use “verlan” slang when they speak. Verlan is a popular suburban phenomenon of speaking, changing the order of words…
