Displaying Country: Europe
24 Apr 2026 | Policy/Law
PERFORMING NEUTRALITY, PRACTICING EXCLUSION: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE HIJAB BAN IN SPORTS
Sport is hailed as a universal language, a space where people of diverse backgrounds come together in pursuit of excellence, teamwork and fair play (Amnesty International, 2024). However, beneath this ideal lies a persistent reality where racism and religious discrimination continue to shape how athletes are perceived and whether they are welcome (Amnesty International, 2024). The ḥijāb ban is one such example... read the complete article
17 Mar 2026 | Policy/Law
Monitoring Islamophobia in Europe for 10 years: Some observations
We take March 15, the UN International Day to Combat Islamophobia, as an opportunity to reflect upon 10 years of publishing the yearly European Islamophobia Report, where more than 30 authors have published over 25 country reports covering the state and development of Islamophobia since 2015. While far from comprehensive, this reflection provides insights in the making of the report, the achievements, worsening trends, as well as a short outlook on the future. read the complete article
09 Oct 2025 | Law Enforcement
Austrian Hijab Ban Survey: What Muslim women think
The Austrian Hijab Ban Survey sheds light on how Muslim women and girls in Austria view the government’s proposed legislation banning the hijab in schools up to the 8th grade. Conducted shortly after the bill’s announcement on 10 September 2025, the survey collected responses from almost 1,000 Muslim women in Austria, offering a rare insight into the voices most directly affected. The findings are striking: 93% of respondents oppose the ban. The results further challenge claims that the hijab negatively impacts education or personal development, with overwhelming majorities disputing such arguments. Also, Muslim women who do not wear the hijab expressed strong opposition to the law. Politically, most respondents supported the Social Democrats (SPÖ), despite the party’s participation in the coalition pushing the ban, while many also favored smaller parties, but clearly rejected the two most vocal parties supporting the bill, the Conservatives (ÖVP) and the Liberals (NEOS), polling with only 1 percent each. Overall, the survey highlights both the broad rejection of the hijab ban among Muslim women and the gap between political rhetoric and the lived experiences of Austria’s Muslim community. read the complete article
15 Mar 2025 | Politics
Statement of International Muslim Organizations and Human Rights Civil Society Organizations on the 2025 United Nation’s International Day to Combat Islamophobia
Statement of International Muslim Organizations and Human Rights Civil Society Organizations on the 2025 United Nation’s International Day to Combat Islamophobia In the name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful All praise and… read the complete article
14 Mar 2025 | Policy/Law
Statement Commemorating the International Day to Combat Islamophobia
Islamophobia is a global crisis with profound and far-reaching consequences for Muslim communities and society at large. The latest figures from multiple countries underscore the severity of this escalating threat. According to the Council on… read the complete article
09 Jan 2025 | Politics
Reflections on Interfaith Relations: A Decade After My Time as Allianz Visiting Professor at LMU: A Journey of Cultural Exchange
In the fall of 2013, I arrived in Germany as the Allianz Visiting Professor for Islamic Studies at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), a role that marked a significant milestone in my academic career. This position, endowed by Allianz AG, was part of a continuing guest professorship for Jewish and Islamic Studies, aimed at bringing internationally renowned scholars to Munich to foster intercultural and inter-religious understanding. (Allianz Gastprofessur | Freunde islamischer Kunst) read the complete article
14 Nov 2024 | Policy/Law
Hostile Policies, Daily Struggles: How Islamophobia Shapes Life for Muslims in Europe
Over the past decade, Europe has seen a pronounced shift to the right, as far-right parties across the continent have moved into the mainstream. A significant driver of this shift has been the persistence and visibility of Islamophobia within European society. Anti-Muslim attitudes are widespread, and many elected officials have capitalized on these sentiments. By using Muslim communities as scapegoats, they deflect attention from policy shortcomings, and have instead gained support by appealing to negative perceptions of Muslims. read the complete article
28 Oct 2024 | Policy/Law
Populism and Prejudice: Insights from Global Islamophobia and the Rise of Populism
In the newly released book Global Islamophobia and the Rise of Populism (edited by Professor Sahar F. Aziz and Professor John L. Esposito), a group of scholars and international experts examine the rise of Islamophobia and populism across various countries, from India to Europe. Each chapter explores how anti-Muslim stereotypes and narratives have been strategically employed by politicians and governments to win electoral support, creating a harmful, discriminatory, dangerous, and sometimes deadly environment for Muslims. read the complete article
15 Oct 2024 | Individuals
Protected: Factsheet: Herbert Kickl
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post. read the complete article
26 Jul 2024 | Military
UN Creates Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Day
To commemorate the 29th anniversary of the “worst single atrocity in Europe since World War II”, the United Nations General Assembly voted in July 2024 to establish the “International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica.” This day is meant to honor the lives over 8,000+ Bosnian Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica who were forcibly taken from their homes and brutally slaughtered in mass executions by Serbian ethno-nationalist forces during the genocidal reign of former Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic. read the complete article