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SearchToday in Islamophobia: In India, Indian film superstar Mohanlal has apologized and said some scenes will be removed from his newly released film L2: Empuraan after strong criticism from Hindu nationalist groups arose regarding scenes that referenced the 2022 anti-Muslim Gujarat riots, meanwhile in Australia, a Brisbane mosque has made it very clear that Peter Dutton is not welcome to visit due to his perceived ‘deeply hurtful’ rhetoric, as a growing number of Muslim organizations distance themselves from federal election campaigning, and in the United States, Chipotle will pay $20,000 under an agreement to resolve religious bias claims by a Muslim worker whose hijab was partially removed by a coworker. Our recommended read of the day is by Nadiya N. Ali and Nadia Hasan for The Conversation on how the traumatic event in Ajax highlights the persistent and deeply ingrained nature of gendered Islamophobia in Canada and beyond. This and more below:
Canada
Violent attempt to set fire to a Muslim woman in Ajax exposes persistent Islamophobia in Canada | Recommended Read
A 25-year-old woman recently attempted to set a Muslim woman on fire in Ajax, Ont. Afterwards, the survivor provided a statement, which was read for her at a news conference. In it, she described her visit to her “favourite quiet corner of the library” as ordinary and routine. This ordinary moment, however, turned nightmarish and extraordinary in an instant. According to the survivor, the attacker attempted to yank her hijab off. She hurled objects at her head, including scissors and a metal object. The attacker then poured an unknown liquid on her hijab and flicked her lighter several times, allegedly attempting to light the fabric ablaze. Library staff and security intervened before any more harm could take place. Afterwards, the survivor, a mother of two girls, explained that she’s unable to quell her terror. She said: “I can’t stop thinking: what if the lighter had worked? What if my hijab had caught fire?” But most of all, she’s terrified for her hijab-wearing daughters’ safety in public spaces. No one should feel unsafe in public spaces. However, for racialized people, public space in North America is fraught with heightened risks. It’s shaped by a deep undercurrent of white anxieties propping up the racial order of society. This incident is not an isolated act of violence. It is situated within a broader social climate that normalizes the policing of how racialized people “should” enter and occupy public spaces. read the complete article
International
Israel's strange embrace of far-right European politicians
In a little under a week, Israel's increasingly close relationship with Europe's far right has been thrown into stark relief, drawing condemnation from across the Jewish world. On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will fly to Hungary to meet Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a leader in the vanguard of Europe's far right. Despite Mr Orban facing accusations of playing off anti-Semitic tropes to appeal to his base and denying anti-Jewish hate in his country's history, Mr Netanyahu, the leader of the world's only Jewish-majority state, openly praises the Hungarian leader. Since coming into office Mr Netanyahu has congratulated him for "moral clarity". In 2018, he called Mr Orban a "true friend of Israel". The trip is the latest episode to highlight the strained relationship between Israel and many traditionally staunchly supportive groups and allies abroad, who are increasingly uncomfortable at the direction of the country’s politics, which for more than two years has been defined by Mr Netanyahu’s far-right coalition. This is all happening as Jewish communities across the globe report an increase in anti-Semitism since the Gaza war began. read the complete article
As Israel terrorises Palestinians, the world looks away
Earlier this month, a special United Nations commission issued a report documenting Israel’s systematic use of sexual, reproductive and gender-based violence in the occupied Palestinian territories since 7 October 2023. This comes as Israel has renewed its all-out war on Gaza after a few weeks of calm - the first phase of a now-discarded ceasefire agreement. The deal was meant to permanently end the violence, complete the exchange of Israeli and Palestinian captives, and oversee Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza. It has now been derailed. Crimes involving sexual violence have been just one part of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands of people and decimated more than 80 percent of the territory’s buildings. A few days before the UN report came out, I watched the American documentary October 8, which cited allegations that Hamas committed sexual violence during its 2023 attack. The film, which focuses primarily on antisemitism on US college campuses in the ensuing months, is undisguised propaganda. It endorses Israel’s goal of exterminating Hamas, including through combat tactics that are widely seen as genocidal, targeting Gaza’s entire civilian population. read the complete article
Australia
The time to stand against Islamophobia is now
In March, the Islamic community in Liverpool was shaken by online threats of “Christchurch 2.0” at the Australian Islamic House in Edmondson Park. The mosque, which opened its doors only recently to the public just in time for Ramadan this year, caters to the growing Muslim community in south‑western Sydney. Following the threat, a 16-year-old boy was arrested in Western Australia and charged with creating a false apprehension to the existence of threats or danger. New South Wales police advised of no ongoing threats to the community. This heinous threat, made during the holy month of Ramadan, serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers posed by rising and persistent Islamophobic rhetoric and actions in our community. This is no isolated incident. The 5th Islamophobia in Australia report, found that there were 309 in-person Islamophobic attacks between January 2023 and December 2024. Ranging from verbal abuse and threats to physical assault, these attacks are primarily directed at women and girls. read the complete article
Why a mosque has BANNED Peter Dutton from visiting
A Brisbane mosque has made it very clear Peter Dutton is not welcome to visit due to his perceived 'deeply hurtful' rhetoric, as a growing number of Muslim organisations distance themselves from federal election campaigning. Ali Kadri, a spokesperson for Holland Park Mosque and a Labor member, said the Opposition leader's language about the Muslim community was behind the ban. 'His presence would be deeply concerning to our congregation,' Mr Kadri told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday. 'Generally we open our doors to all politicians, [but] Mr Dutton has used deeply hurtful words when it comes to migrants, particularly the Muslim community.' When asked which language he was referring to, Mr Kadri said Mr Dutton had blamed the housing shortage on migrants and made 'comments around downplaying of Islamophobia'. 'In the housing debate, the focus is squarely on migrants, especially from Mr Dutton. It makes us feel targeted,' he said. 'Give us equal respect like any other Australian, consider us equal citizens. 'In his rhetoric, unfortunately, [this] doesn't come across.' read the complete article
United States
Chipotle to Pay $20,000 to End Suit Alleging Anti-Muslim Bias
Chipotle Services LLC will pay $20,000 and adopt policies ensuring employees at eight Kansas restaurants comply with federal antidiscrimination law, under an agreement to resolve religious bias claims by a Muslim worker whose hijab was partially removed by a coworker. Chipotle will pay Areej Saifan $11,000 for both wage- and non-wage-related compensatory damages and pay another $9,000 for the worker’s attorneys fees and costs, according to a consent decree the company entered with Saifan and the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. read the complete article
United Kingdom
Bradford charity offers ‘Fighting Against Islamophobia’ workshops
Better Communities Bradford (BCB), a local non-profit organisation committed to supporting Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, proudly announces Free Workshops to Workplaces, Schools and Communities on 'Fighting Against Islamophobia', Together for Hope (Project FAITH). This innovative initiative is aimed at combating the rise of Islamophobia in the UK through workshops and seminars across schools, workplaces and communities. Project FAITH is a holistic response to the rising challenges of discrimination against Muslims and aims to create lasting, positive change through four key areas. read the complete article
India
Indian superstar's latest film faces right-wing backlash
Indian superstar Mohanlal has apologised and said some scenes will be removed from his new film after criticism from Hindu nationalist groups. The Malayalam-language film, L2: Empuraan, was released on Thursday and is performing well at the box office. However, it faced a backlash from Hindu groups, including members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), over some scenes including ones seen as referring to the 2002 anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat state. The developments have sparked a debate around artistic freedom, with the opposition Congress and Left parties accusing the BJP of putting pressure on the filmmakers. However, BJP leaders have said that the party did not launch a public campaign against the film and that people have the right to express their views on social media. read the complete article