Muslims

Swiss narrowly back proposal to ban face coverings in public
March 8, 2021 By Faith Matters

Swiss narrowly back proposal to ban face coverings in public

Swiss voters have narrowly approved a proposal to ban face coverings, both niqabs and burkas worn by a few Muslim women in the country and the ski masks and bandannas used by protesters. The measure will outlaw covering one’s face in public places such as restaurants, sports stadiums, public transport or simply walking in the […]

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Two Christians sought by police in Pakistan on ‘blasphemy’ charges
February 17, 2021 By Faith Matters

Two Christians sought by police in Pakistan on ‘blasphemy’ charges

Pakistan’s police said they were seeking arrest of two Christian men in the eastern city of Lahore on charges they allegedly used insulting remarks against Islam’s holy book and its Prophet Mohammed. The case against the two men was registered last Saturday on the complaint of a Muslim local resident Haroon Ahmed, said Muratab Ali, […]

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Pompeo says China’s policies on Muslims in Xinjiang amount to ‘genocide’
January 20, 2021 By Faith Matters

Pompeo says China’s policies on Muslims in Xinjiang amount to ‘genocide’

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo has imposed new sanctions on China and said its policies on Muslims and ethnic minorities in Xinjiang constitute a “genocide”. Mr Pompeo made the determination just 24 hours before President-elect Joe Biden takes office. There was no immediate response from the incoming Biden team, although several members have been […]

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1,800 Rohingya relocated to isolated island
December 30, 2020 By Faith Matters

1,800 Rohingya relocated to isolated island

Seven Bangladesh navy ships carrying 1,804 Rohingya refugees have arrived at an isolated island where they will be relocated despite concerns among human rights groups about their safety. They reached Bhashan Char island, 21 miles from the mainland, after a four-hour naval journey from the port city of Chittagong, government official Mohammed Khurshed Alam Khan […]

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Man denies assaulting children during circumcision procedures
December 10, 2020 By Faith Matters

Man denies assaulting children during circumcision procedures

A man has denied assaulting children while carrying out circumcisions in the community. Mohammad Siddiqui, 54, of Birmingham, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and denied 40 charges relating to 24 procedures between April 2015 and January 2019. They include child neglect and ill-treatment, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and administering prescription-only anaesthetic when […]

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Bomber’s brother appeared to be ‘sympathetic to ideals of Isis’, inquiry told
December 8, 2020 By Faith Matters

Bomber’s brother appeared to be ‘sympathetic to ideals of Isis’, inquiry told

Images recovered from the home of the older brother of Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi indicated he was “sympathetic to the ideals of Isis”, a police chief has told a public inquiry. Ismail Abedi, 27, was arrested the morning after the explosion which killed 22 people and injured hundreds at the end of an Ariana […]

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Report shows how New Zealand mosque shooter eluded detection
December 8, 2020 By Faith Matters

Report shows how New Zealand mosque shooter eluded detection

A comprehensive report into the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings in which 51 Muslim worshippers died sheds new light on how the gunman was able to elude detection by authorities as he planned his attack. The nearly 800-page Royal Commission of Inquiry report released on Tuesday shows the attacker, Brenton Tarrant, kept a low profile and […]

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Indonesia expects halal certificate for experimental Covid-19 vaccine
December 7, 2020 By Faith Matters

Indonesia expects halal certificate for experimental Covid-19 vaccine

Indonesia’s highest Muslim clerical body is expected to issue a halal certification for the experimental Covid-19 vaccine developed by China-based firm Sinovac Biotech. The certification would be a significant step in immunisation efforts in the world’s most populous Muslim country, should the vaccine be approved for use. Indonesia’s human development and culture minister Muhadjir Effendy: […]

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First Rohingya refugees arrive at isolated Bangladesh island
December 4, 2020 By Faith Matters

First Rohingya refugees arrive at isolated Bangladesh island

More than 1,500 Rohingya refugees have been sent to an isolated island by authorities in Bangladesh, despite calls by human rights groups to stop the process. The 1,642 refugees boarded seven Bangladeshi naval vessels in the port of Chittagong for the trip to Bhashan Char, according to an official. After about a three-hour trip they […]

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Officer who designed police hijab aims to inspire Muslim women to join force
November 27, 2020 By Faith Matters

Officer who designed police hijab aims to inspire Muslim women to join force

A police officer who helped design a new hijab because the one provided was uncomfortable and unsafe said she hopes it will inspire other Muslim women to join the force. Pc Uzma Amireddy, a positive action coordinator, said the hijab given to her by North Yorkshire Police was uncomfortable, did not look good and was […]

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