Paris mosque: Burger chain not fully halal Via AP : Note to big companies hoping to tap into France’s lucrative but long-neglected Muslim consumer market: Pitfalls may await, and not only in the form of complaints from the far-right. As of this week, 2 2 outlets of popular French fast food chain Quick are serving burgers it says respect Islamic dietary law
France: No more halal meals for national team ( Blanc interview ) In June former French footballer Vikash Dhorasoo wrote on his blog that the French team eats halal. This week the national team’s head coach confirmed this had been the case.
EU: ‘A new notion of normalcy’ ( photo ) Via New York Times : Which politician, President Nicolas Sarkozy, or Jean-Marie Le Pen, the voice of rightist extremism here for more than a generation, said the following about the role of immigrants, particularly Muslims, in their country’s future? Newcomers must avoid “self-designated victimization.” “The success of the integration process is hindered by the disproportionate number of nonnatives involved in criminality and troublemaking, by burqas, by men who refuse to shake hands with women.” And, “The street is mine, too. I don’t want to walk away if they’re standing in my path.” Answer: Neither Frenchman
EU: Survey of young Moroccans The Moroccan city of Ifrane recently hosted the first forum for young Moroccans abroad, organized by the Council for the Moroccans Community Abroad (CCME) One of the topic discussed was a survey conducted by the BVA agency among 2,610 Moroccans aged 18-34 from six different countries: the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. The survey is comprehensive, but was pretty much ignored by the media.
France: The threats facing Jews A few months ago I wrote an opinion article about the threats to Jews and Judaism in Europe today.
Book Review: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth? Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann Via The Observer, Kenan Malik’s review : Europe, 2020. The Islamists have stormed to power across the continent
France: Muslims feel sting of discrimination In a related story: Two Muslim women marched out of swimming pool in French holiday village because they were wearing burkinis Via LA Times : Be patient. This is just a phase
France: Doctors have difficulties dealing with burka While the French National Assembly is debating the law banning the burka in public, doctors are testifying of their difficulties in providing the necessary care to women wearing the full veil. Since the law of religious symbols passed in 2004, doctors and nurses have seen an increase in the number of women wearing the burka.
France: Businessman to pay burka fines Via Reuters : A French businessman is offering to sell properties to help Muslim women pay any fines that they may receive for wearing the full veil in public if a law is voted through France’s parliament. This article was prepared by the Islam in Europe blog – islamineurope.blogspot.com (…) In a statement published in several newspapers, Rachid Nekkaz, who tried to stand in the presidential elections in 2007, said he would use proceeds from property sales for a 1 million euro ($1.26 million) fund to help women pay any fines
EU: Wide Islamic perception ‘key to Muslim integration’ EU academics have identified that understanding different Islamic cultures, based on perceptions of regional identity, is pivotal to the successful integration of Muslim communities in Europe.