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SearchToday in Islamophobia: Ilhan Omar vows to “unmask the system of oppression in the U.S” at first ever national gathering of Muslim Americans in politics. In New Zealand, a woman wearing a ‘burkini’ is asked to leave the pool, in Myanmar, satellite images reveal little preparation by the government for Rohingya return. Our recommended read of the day is by China’s treatment of Uighurs ‘cultural genocide’. This, and more, below:
China
Despite China’s denials, its treatment of the Uyghurs should be called what it is: cultural genocide | Recommended Read
In recent days, the Chinese government has defended its actions with a dubious propaganda report claiming that Uyghurs were historically forced to become Muslims and have been an integral part of China for thousands of years. China repeatedly makes false and anachronistic claims like this about the ancient unity of the “Chinese people,” which includes ethnic minorities like the Uyghurs. Its aim is to project modern notions of sovereignty, nationhood and fixed borders back through history. read the complete article
Chinese police still questioning wife of Australian Uyghur man, despite promising to help
Police in China's far-western Xinjiang region are still questioning the wife of an Australian man interviewed on Four Corners last week, despite Beijing saying it would assist Australia's efforts to reunite the family. Sadam Abudusalamu has been separated from his wife Nadila Wumaier and their young son Lutfy, who is an Australian citizen, since they were caught up in China's crackdown on Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang. read the complete article
United States
Ilhan Omar: I'm going to unmask the system of oppression in US
Organised by the Muslim Caucus, the two-day Muslim Collective for Equitable Democracy 2019 was described by Ghazala Salam, the founder and president of the Muslim Caucus as an opportunity for Muslims to begin building stronger networks for political organising. "We're not a monolithic community, not a one-issue community," said Salam at the start of the event. read the complete article
Ilhan Omar Shuts Down Constant Calls For Muslims To Condemn Things
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and other Muslim politicians are constantly being asked to condemn groups and issues that her non-Muslim colleagues are not asked to answer for, and she’s tired of it. read the complete article
Muslim group alleges religious discrimination by Citibank
The New York Chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) filed a discrimination complaint with New York City’s Human Rights Commission on Tuesday, alleging religious discrimination against a Muslim woman by Citibank. read the complete article
Muslim Caucus to hold first conference amid Trump's attacks
Organised by the Muslim Caucus, the Muslim Collective for Equitable Democracy 2019 will feature appearances by representatives Omar, as well as a host of other prominent Muslim American figures, including Gold Star father Khizr Khan and Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress and current Minnesota attorney general. read the complete article
Op-ed | Montgomery has fostered anti-Muslim bias and shouldn’t be on the Supreme Court
It was only four months ago when Arizona’s Commission on Appellate Court Appointments rejected Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery for a seat on the state Supreme Court. The commission cited concerns that Montgomery lacks the basic fairness and impartialityrequired of a supreme court justice. Rather than a commitment to equality and respect for the rule of law, Montgomery brought a highly-politicized record of protecting the powerful and punishing the weak. read the complete article
United Kingdom
Independent expert appointed to tackle Islamophobia
An independent adviser has been appointed to provide expert advice on a definition of Islamophobia to the government. Imam Qari Asim MBE, Deputy Chair of the Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group will lead a process for establishing a definition of Islamophobia. He will be joined by a second adviser to be confirmed in due course. read the complete article
Monitoring group says racism on rise in English soccer
The Kick It Out group says it tracked 581 cases of discrimination in the 2018-19 season, compared to 520 the year before. The figures include games from the top professional leagues to grassroots youth level, as well as some incidents on social media. read the complete article
Roger Scruton: Sacked housing advisor reinstated after row over claims of offensive remarks
Academic Sir Roger Scruton has been reinstated as a government adviser after he was sacked over claims he had made Islamophobic and antisemitic comments. The controversial philosopher was sacked by James Brokenshire, the housing secretary, following comments he made about China, Islam and the financier George Soros in a New Statesman interview earlier this year. read the complete article
New Zealand
Muslim woman in 'burkini' told to leave pool in New Zealand
Auckland council has since apologised to the woman, who was swimming at the West Wave Pool in Henderson. A witness to the incident said that the woman was part of a larger group that had swimwear on that covered her head down to the arms and legs. She called it a “burkini” that was made of swimming-appropriate material. read the complete article
International
‘Stupefying ignorance’: What Boris Johnson said about Trump when he wasn’t being so diplomatic
Johnson’s past criticism of Trump was at times even more pitched than that of many of the Republicans who derided Trump in 2016, then just a Republican presidential candidate, as dangerous and unhinged — and have since come around to support him. read the complete article
Myanmar
Satellite images show Myanmar's 'minimal preparations' for Rohingya return: think-tank
While authorities have promised to resettle the refugees, analysis of satellite imagery shows “no sign of reconstruction” in the overwhelming majority of their former settlements while, in some areas, destruction of residential buildings has continued, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) said in a report released late on Tuesday. read the complete article