Secularism

France sets up 'office of secularism' to protect country against Muslims

Decried and mocked in equal measure, Paris announced another policy widely seen as targeting the country's embattled Muslim community.

Canada: Campaigners continue the fight against French anti-religion law

Opponents against a bill that restricts religious freedoms win small victory as they seek to overturn the widely condemned law.

French government ‘intimidating’ Muslims over Strasbourg mosque

Emmanual Macron’s government ramps up anti-Muslim rhetoric as presidential elections approach.

Majority of French students reject their country’s rigid secularism

French secularism is seen as discriminatory against Muslims by a growing number of students who seek greater tolerance in society.

French lawmakers approve controversial 'anti-separatism' bill

Many French Muslims say the draft law limits religious freedom and unfairly targets them, and say France already has enough laws to fight violence.

Is French secularism a divisive force in the country?

France’s ‘radical’ interpretation of secularism, which is distinctly different from Anglo-Saxon tradition, clashes with its integration project, preventing people from different faiths and backgrounds to reconcile differences.

Arab majorities overwhelmingly oppose any normalisation with Israel

A recent Arab opinion poll finds there is strong disapproval for any normalisation deal with Israel.

A secular Iran? Study links political discontent with religious decline

An online survey revealed increased secular attitudes among 50,000 respondents with a critical view of the country’s religious governance system, and nearly half reported losing their religion.

In India’s anti-colonial struggle, Hindu nationalists were anti-national

Hindu nationalists like to cast themselves as patriots that put the country first. Their history of non-participation during the independence movement suggests that they were anything but patriots in India’s battle for freedom.

What does a temple tell us about Pakistan’s vision of nationhood?

As Pakistan celebrates 73 years of independence from British colonial rule, a seemingly minor dispute regarding the construction of a Hindu temple is asking thorny questions about what the nation’s raison d'etre truly is.

French Laicite and the battle against Muslim women

The French secularism that has marginalised many in the Jewish community is now working overtime to do the same to French Muslims.

Political tensions rise in Tunisia ahead of 2019 presidential elections

President Beji Caid Essebsi announces breaking up of ties with coalition partner Ennhadha Party, at a time when a power shift is taking place with many parliamentarians changing loyalties.