More than one in 10 French people admit to being racist and many have prejudicial views of immigrants, homosexuals, blacks, Arab and Jews, according to a poll by the BVA institute for two anti-discrimination groups. 28 percent of those polled think that Arabs are more likely to commit crimes than members of other groups, a number that has more than doubled since a similar poll … [Read more...] about BVA institute polls suggests prejudices on the rise in France
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Nadine Morano, Secretary of State for Family and Solidarity, asks French Muslims to no longer speak “Verlan”
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 (i.e. bizarre becomes “zarbi”). Morano … [Read more...] about Nadine Morano, Secretary of State for Family and Solidarity, asks French Muslims to no longer speak “Verlan”
Tariq Ramadan visits French parliamentary commission on burqa use
“This is a society that has doubts about itself,” Tariq Ramadan told a French parliamentary panel mulling a burqa ban. “For me, this commission is born of a real self-doubt, and suddenly they're looking at one element, at the most extreme slice. The problem won't be solved like that." Ramadan claims that the larger problem in France is discrimination which means that with an … [Read more...] about Tariq Ramadan visits French parliamentary commission on burqa use
More than 100,000 in pro-Gaza march in Spain
More than 100,000 people marched through Madrid and other cities throughout Spain last Sunday, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Protesters filled downtown boulevards in Madrid carrying banners saying "Peace," "SOS Gaza," placards with the word "Gaza" above a red-stained hand and mock blood-spattered bodies of children. Among those in attendance of the march included … [Read more...] about More than 100,000 in pro-Gaza march in Spain
Catalan education centre plan for immigrants fuels controversy
The Ombudsman Office warned that plans to set up education centers for immigrant children in Catalonia, would risk creating ghettos. "It would be terrible [for ghettos to be created] during an important formative period such as attending school," said Ombudswoman Mar_a Luisa Cava de Llano. "Under no circumstances do I want this to turn into a tool for segregation." In early … [Read more...] about Catalan education centre plan for immigrants fuels controversy