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SearchToday in Islamophobia: Marjorie Taylor Greene becomes the first supporter of the far-right QAnon conspiracy theory to win a U.S. House seat, a Uighur Muslim instructor is forced to flee China due to his teachings, and Far-right conspiracy theorist and self-described “proud Islamophobe” Laura Loomer looses her House race. Our recommended read of the day is by Myriam François
France
“The enemy within”: Is there a place for Muslims in France’s secular republic?
In the wake of this latest paroxysm of violence, fierce public debates have re-ignited over the place and rights of Muslims in France, framed as part of an ongoing civilizational struggle between an “enlightened, beleaguered” France and a “regressive, violent” Islam — and this despite the fact that both of the most recent assailants were not actually French, and that French Muslims have also been among the victims of similar attacks. read the complete article
Macron wants to fix France's social ills – but he won't do it by 'reforming' Islam
For quite different reasons Macron is taking criticism from inside France as well. His critics on the right are portraying him as soft on terror. Christian Estrosi, the mayor of Nice, called for “changes to the constitution” to facilitate “waging war” on terror. With characteristic hyperbole, Éric Ciotti of the Republicans declared that “for the first time since the occupation, France is no longer free! Our country is at war! … We must annihilate the Islamists!” read the complete article
France is undermining civil liberties in the name of fighting terrorism and Canada should say so
Each of those horrific crimes has been condemned by French Muslims and their organizations. Yet President Emmanuel Macron has launched an all out campaign against “Islamism,” “Islamic separatism,” and also against dozens of Muslims organizations — fueling division and undermining the very civil liberties he claims to defend. read the complete article
French minister’s comments on ‘separatism law’ spark backlash
On Sunday, his interior minister Gerald Darmanin, in an interview with the Lille-based newspaper La Voix du Nord, said France was “waging a war against radical Islam” as he gave further details of the bill. In comments that have angered activists and France’s Muslim minority, the largest in Europe, Darmanin said that anyone seeking medical care “who refuses to be treated by a woman” could face up to five years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros. Darmanin said the measures would apply to anyone “putting pressure on public officials” as well as “anyone refusing a teacher’s lessons”. read the complete article
United States
Police: Man arrested for aggravated assault, disorderly conduct at Wichita mosques
Wichita Police arrested a 26-year-old man last week and arrested him on charges of aggravated assault and disorderly conduct connected to incidents at two local mosques. Police said around 5:45 p.m. on Friday, officers responded to a disturbance with a weapon call at the Masjid An Noor Mosque located in the 3100 block of East 17th Street. Officers arrived and spoke with a 53-year-old man who said another man yelled racially insensitive comments and displayed a handgun to him before leaving in his vehicle. read the complete article
QAnon supporter Marjorie Taylor Greene wins seat in US House
Marjorie Taylor Greene has become the first supporter of the far-right QAnon conspiracy theory to win a US House seat. Greene, a Republican businesswoman, was declared the winner in Georgia’s 14th congressional district, the AP reported. Greene’s Democratic opponent had dropped out in September. read the complete article
Anti-Muslim candidate Laura Loomer loses U.S. House race
Far-right conspiracy theorist and self-described "proud Islamophobe" Laura Loomer has lost her House race to Democratic incumbent Rep. Lois Frankel, AP reports. Loomer has been banned from Facebook and Twitter over controversial statements, including anti-Muslim remarks about Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). read the complete article
AOC and her fellow 'Squad' members all win re-election to Congress
All four members of the progressive “squad” of Democratic congresswomen have handily won re-election. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan will return to their seats in the US Congress. read the complete article
India
India: Interfaith couples suffer amid a growing religious divide
Interfaith marriages are often contentious in Indian society, especially when it involves a Hindu and a Muslim. This was recently seen when a jewelry advertisement featuring an interfaith couple sparked an outrage so intense that the brand, owned by one of the largest conglomerates in India, withdrew the ad. read the complete article
China
Uighur scholar fears deportation from Saudi Arabia
Activists fear that a Uighur religious scholar who travelled to Saudi Arabia on a year-long visa will be deported to China from the Gulf kingdom. Aimadoula Waili, also known as Hemdullah Abduweli, originates from the Xingjiang province in China. He was forced to flee China after Chinese authorities imprisoned him twice for his religious teachings. read the complete article
International
Macron's 'crusade' against Islam reveals a dangerous double standard
It is a war over narratives that both populists want, and it complements a geopolitical standoff between France and Turkey across the Mediterranean. It reveals an ideational fault line that appears to divide not just French society, but also increasingly the Arab and Muslim world: the political equilibrium between religion and state. read the complete article