Alf Gunvald Nilsen argues that the advances made in Norway’s general election by the anti-migrant Progress Party, which looks set to become a junior partner in a right-wing coalition government, shows the country has not dealt with the roots of Anders Breivik’s crimes.
EDL leader’s Oxford Union appearance cancelled
English Defence League founder and leader Tommy Robinson’s planned appearance at the Oxford Union has been cancelled amid security concerns. The institution, which had faced criticism over the event, said it could not afford the security to welcome him. Mr Robinson said the union had bowed to “threats of violence” but provided no specific details.
Charter of Quebec values would ban religious symbols for civil servants
Public employees would not be allowed to wear overt religious symbols at work under the proposed charter of Quebec values, released by the Parti Québécois today.
The minister in charge of the charter, Bernard Drainville, announced at the national assembly that, if adopted by the legislature, the wearing of kippas, turbans, burkas, hijabs and “large” crosses would be banned for civil servants while they are on the job. “If the state is neutral, those working for the state should be equally neutral in their image,” said Drainville.
Mosque plan dropped but EDL protest to ‘go ahead’ in Sheffield
Proposals to turn a Sheffield pub into a mosque have been dropped – but the English Defence League still plans to hold a protest at the site.
Firth Park Cultural Centre had made enquiries about buying the former Pheasant pub at Sheffield Lane Top, which is for sale, and rename it Firth Park Masjid. But the group now says the £330,000 price tag is “too expensive” and it will be looking for an alternative site.
The English Defence League, which last gathered in Sheffield in June to lay a wreath “in tribute” to murdered soldier Lee Rigby, has organised a protest against the plans. The “peaceful” demonstration is to take place outside The Pheasant on Saturday, September 21 – and anti-fascist protesters are planning a presence.
When told the mosque proposal had been dropped, a spokesman for the EDL’s Yorkshire region, said: “The demo will still go ahead. There’s still a plan for a mosque somewhere in the area and we will be having a general protest.” He added several hundred members of the group are planning to attend the demonstration.
The protest was condemned by Sheffield Council deputy leader Coun Harry Harpham. He said: “The EDL are a right-wing organisation based on hate, and they are not the type of people we want coming into the city.”
Headscarf photo ‘ruins job interview chances’, study of German firms shows
In a study due to be released in full at the end of the year, economists at the University of Linz in Austria examined whether wearing a headscarf affected women when applying for jobs at German companies.
Initial results show that German firms appeared less inclined to invite an applicant for an interview if they were wearing a headscarf in their photo. This also applied, to a lesser extent, for applicants with a non-German surname.
Muslim students banned from wearing veils at Birmingham Metropolitan College
Angry Muslim students have hit out at college chiefs after being banned from wearing religious veils for “security” reasons.
All students, staff and visitors to Birmingham Metropolitan College have been told to remove any face coverings so individuals are “easily identifiable at all times”. But the controversial ban of the niqab – a veil that leaves only a slot for the eyes – has sparked fury among some Muslim girls, who say they are being discriminated against.
The policy was revealed just days after politicians discussed banning the burka. Kettering MP Philip Hollobone – who refuses to see constituents who will not lift their veils – raised the issue in a Private Member’s Bill, saying it “goes against the basic part of the British way of life”.
Secularism charter for French schools targets Muslims
All pupils in French state schools will be reminded this week that they are not allowed to wear items of religious clothing such as headscarves or crucifixes, nor object to the school curriculum on religious grounds, in a 15-point written statement to be displayed on school walls.
Abercrombie and Fitch ‘wrongly fired’ Muslim over headscarf
US clothing retailer Abercrombie and Fitch wrongly fired a Muslim worker for wearing a headscarf, a judge has ruled. Federal Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled the firm violated anti-discrimination laws when it sacked Hani Khan from a Hollister brand store.
Ms Khan was initially allowed to wear a scarf in the Hollister brand’s colours at the San Mateo, California store, but was later fired. The retailer had argued deviation from its “look policy” would affect sales.
But Judge Rogers of the Northern District of California said Abercrombie had not proven it faced undue hardship to accommodate employees who wear headscarves for religious reasons.
The lawsuit, brought by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, now goes to a trial on 30 September where a jury will determine damages.
Three teens arrested in connection with Harlow Islamic Centre arson attack
Three teenagers have been arrested in connection with last month’s arson attack on the Harlow Islamic Centre.
Two 16-year-old boys and a 17-year-old boy, all from Harlow, were arrested on suspicion of arson and bailed until October 30 pending further enquiries.
A 28-year-old man from Harlow had previously been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the incident and released on bail until October 30 pending further enquiries.
George Galloway calls for ban on EDL march in Bradford
Bradford West MP George Galloway has urged the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire to help ban a proposed march in Bradford by the far-right English Defence League.
The Respect MP said he fears the intended march on October 12 could mirror the EDL’s national rally in London at the weekend, which resulted in more than 160 arrests.