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SearchToday in Islamophobia: A Muslim man is lynched by a mob in India, while a family in Calgary grapples the loss of relatives in China. Widespread Islamophobia continues to plague the UK Conservative Party, a recent op-ed urges for inquiry in to Scotland’s Islamophobia. Our recommended read for today is by Emily Laxer on Quebec’s banning of religious symbols and how this might embolden the far-right in France. This, and more, below:
France
Quebec’s ban on religious symbols will only embolden the far right | Recommended Read
For 30 years, France’s secularism debate has led successive governments to place increasingly stringent limits on the right to wear religious (mainly Muslim) symbols. The gradual escalation of that debate ultimately led a centre-right government to adopt a law in 2004, which prohibited religious symbols among students attending public elementary and secondary schools. read the complete article
Muslim women defy ban to swim in burkinis at French pool
In a protest inspired by US civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks, they bathed in suits covering their entire bodies - apart from the face, hands and feet - in the city of Grenoble on Sunday. "Operation burkini" was launched last month by members of the group Citizen Alliance of Grenoble to defend what they say is the right of Muslim women. read the complete article
India
They created anti-Muslims mindset: Owaisi blames BJP, RSS over lynchings
A day after a man was allegedly lynched in Jharkhand, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday said such incidents are not going to stop as the BJP and RSS have increased hate against Muslims in the society. "Incidents of mob lynching are not going to stop because BJP and RSS have increased a sense of hatred against Muslims," the Hyderabad MP said. read the complete article
Jharkhand: Arrests over lynching of India Muslim man
Indian police have arrested five people after a Muslim man was beaten to death by a mob. Tabrez Ansari, 24, died days after being attacked by people who accused him of stealing a motorcycle in the eastern state of Jharkhand. read the complete article
United Kingdom
Why we need Scotland’s first-ever Islamophobia inquiry
As he launches a public inquiry into Islamaphobia in Scotland, Anas Sarwar MSP says one of his greatest fears is that his children will grow up in a more divided and hate-filled world than he did. Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, sexism and other forms of prejudice can be found in our workplaces, on our streets, and in our classrooms. read the complete article
This new poll finds widespread Islamophobia among Conservative Party members
A new poll of Conservative Party members finds widespread anti-Muslim feeling in the party. Four out of ten members would not want a Muslim person as prime minister with a similar number saying there should be limits placed on Muslim people entering the country. read the complete article
China
After their grandfather’s death, a family in Calgary grapples with the fate of the Uyghurs in China
Living in Calgary, Babur Ilchi and his family didn’t know for two weeks that his maternal grandfather had died in their country of origin. In fact, they didn’t even know that the grandfather, Nurmuhemmet Tohti, had been detained during the winter. Now, they mourn him from 10,000 kilometres away, fearing that it would be too risky to visit. read the complete article
Canada
Absurdity and cruelty come together in one new Quebec law
As of last Sunday, in a bid to ensure Quebec vaunted secularity, the government has banned the wearing of religious symbols by certain government workers. In theory, this means there will be nary an offending kippa, hijab or cross decorating the bodies of those civil servants in "positions of authority," as immigration minister Simon Jolin-Barrette has put it. read the complete article