Islamophobia in Paris and London – how it differs and why
Islamophobia in France and Britain has intensified in recent years, particularly in the wake of terrorist incidents, such as the 2015 Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris and the London Bridge attack. This led British prime minister, Theresa May, and French president, Emmanuel Macron, to meet in January 2018 to agree a shared approach to counter-terrorism. In many respects, France […]
Why France Is Banning Muslim Street Prayers
On November 10, Muslims laid their prayer mats on a road in the northern Parisian suburb of Clichy-la-Garenne. They were met with a banner held aloft by local politicians, led by right-wing Mayor Remi Muzeau, which read: “Stop illegal prayers in the streets.” For eight months, hundreds of Muslims have gathered in front of the […]
France to ‘prevent’ Muslim street prayers in Paris suburb
French authorities will stop Muslims from praying in a street north of Paris, the country’s interior minister said Sunday, after a series of protests by lawmakers and locals over what they view as an unacceptable use of public space. “They will not have prayers on the street, we will prevent street praying,” Interior Minister Gerard […]
Gunmen attack mosque in France, injuring eight
July 2 (UPI) — Gunmen opened fire at a crowd of people Sunday outside of a mosque in France, injuring eight, police said. The shooting took place in Avignon, Provence, in southern France at approximately 10:30 p.m. Among the injured was a 7-year-old girl. French news site La Provence reported worshippers were leaving the mosque […]
Emmanuel Macron’s win welcomed by European leaders
Many European leaders are voicing relief after pro-EU centrist Emmanuel Macron decisively won Sunday’s French presidential election victory against Marine Le Pen, the far-right nationalist who had threatened to pull France out of the European Union. Macron’s emphatic victory – he won around 66 percent compared to Le Pen’s 34 percent – has brought relief […]
French Court Affirms One Burkini Ban, Rejects Another
A sizzling summer controversy over burkini bans in France returned to the spotlight in midwinter Thursday, as a Corsican administrative court upheld a local decree against the Muslim swimming garment in one village, but struck down a similar ban elsewhere due to a lack of evidence that it was a threat to public order. The […]
Trump’s Shifting Alliances Have Global Consequences
French and German leadership voiced major concerns Friday over President Donald Trump’s policies in a joint press conference Friday in Berlin where the heads of state highlighted the dual threats of Islamic terror and rising nationalism in Europe. Their remarks are the latest international reaction to what appears to be a significant shift in foreign […]
Paris Mosque Pulls Out of State-sponsored Muslim Foundation
The influential Paris Grand Mosque has announced it is pulling out of a new, state-sponsored Muslim foundation, criticizing “interference” in how Islam is exercised at a time of simmering tensions and divisions surrounding France’s second-largest faith. The mosque, which represents about one-tenth of France’s 2,500 mosques and Muslim associations, called on other Muslim groups to […]
FRANCE – In Fillon, conservative voters choose a clear vision for France
By overwhelmingly backing former prime minister François Fillon, voters in the primary held by France’s centre-right on Sunday opted for an economically liberal, socially conservative candidate whose vision for France leaves little ambiguity. Any hope rival primary candidate Alain Juppé had of springing a surprise in the Les Républicains party run-off vote failed to come […]
France and the impossible Trump domino effect
Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election has unleashed a media barrage suggesting that France was next in line for a possible shake-up of the political system. Voices across the political spectrum posed the same question: What if the American scenario were to repeat itself in France, with Marine Le Pen, leader of the […]