"Multicultural citizenship and the anti-sharia storm
Multicultural citizenship and the anti-sharia storm
An intense public debate and media controversy was triggered in Britain after a lecture delivered by the Archbishop of Canterbury - the spiritual head of the Church of England - on 7 February 2008. The speech - entitled " Civil and Religious Law in England: a Religious Perspective" - raised important questions of law, state, faith and citizenship in a modern, plural society; and its bitter, polarising aftermath equally highlights the issue of what kind of civic discourse about these questions is necessary if they are to be properly addressed. This essay responds to the debate and controversy by viewing them in the perspective of "multicultural citizenship", a concept which allows for nuanced understanding of the inter-relationship of "secular" and "religious" notions in civic life........
Hurray! They're not capitulating
Within hours after a plot to murder Kurt Westergaard was foiled, yesterday Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten republished the cartoonist's drawing of Mohammed which is depicting the Muslim prophet with a bomb under his turban....
Facebook group: Undskyld Muhammed
Update 17.02.08:
In the last 48 hours the ”Undskyld Muhammed” (”Sorry Muhammed”) group and its founders have received an overwhelming response.
We wish to thank everyone who has joined the group and everybody participating in the discussions.
Islamic law in a secular world, Roger Scruton
The response to the Archbishop of Canterbury's lecture on 7 February 2008, " Civil and Religious Law in England: a Religious Perspective", has included discussion of the character of the "sharia" that formed an important part of the address. Fred Halliday's contribution on openDemocracy focuses on this question as part of a general questioning of the integrity of such terms as "Islamic law" and "Islamic finance" (see "Islam, law and finance: the elusive divine", 12 February 2008). His is an excellent contribution to a developing discussion; but there are a couple of points to be added that highlight what is really at stake in the controversy following Rowan Williams's intervention.
DOSSIER: Putin's last press conference as president | 15/02/2008
In his last big press conference as Russian head of state, Vladimir Putin had harsh words for Europe. He warned against installing a missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic and recognising Kosovo. At the same time he made clear his intention to stay in power following an election victory for his candidate Dmitri Medvedev in the presidential elections on 2 March.
Danish MPs refuse to apologise
Danish MPs cancel a trip to Iran after Tehran demands they apologise for the Muhammad cartoon row.Danish Muslims in cartoon protest
Hundreds of Danish Muslims demonstrate against the reprinting of a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed.Cartoon controversy redux
The Danish cartoon controversy has flared up again after police foiled a murder attempt on one of the cartoonists, prompting Danish newspapers to republish the offending image. They argue that free speech is a fundamental human right and a central tenet of democracy. Yet reactions to the initial controversy reveal strong divergences among liberals about what the right to free speech entails. Read on for Eurozine's take on the debate the last time around.Islam critic asks for protection
Ex-Dutch MP Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a target of death threats from radical Islamists, appeals to the EU for protection.Commission rebuffs Franco-German energy proposals
In an unofficial paper, the Commission condemns an alternative proposal on energy liberalisation for not going far enough to ensure energy firms keep their supply and production activities separate from network operations (so-called 'ownership unbundling').Commission reopens Pandora's Box on artists' rights
The European Commission has reopened the sensitive dossier of copyright levies with the launch of a public consultation to simplify the way the tax is imposed across the 27 EU member states.Interview: Medical device industry calls for more government support
Medical devices ranging from simple needles to life-saving high-tech implants should receive stronger support from governments as they help patients faster than drugs do, argues the European medical technology industry association (Eucomed) in an interview with EurActiv.US air security plans 'unacceptable', says EU
Officials have condemned a US move to bypass the EU by contacting individual member states in a bid to introduce tougher restrictions on transatlantic air travel.Newspapers reprint Prophet's cartoons
Denmark's leading newspapers reprinted a cartoon yesterday that depicts the Prophet Mohammed wearing a bomb-shaped turban, a move that irritated Muslim leaders.The papers said
It's not just rubbish in Naples
Campania drowns in tonnes of refuse. The EU threatens the intervention of the Court of Justice. How did we get this far, asks a young Neapolitan reporterEuro: at last, a unique currency
Collectors, get happy. The 2 euro coin is going to profit from a new design; not a national emblem, but a face showing support for EuropeCulture blind
The archbishop of Canterbury, head of the Church of England, recently caused an outcry when he suggested some aspects of Shariah law should be adopted in Britain, particularly to solve family disputes.Time to Renew EU Trade Agreements with Africa
Paul Collier and Kalypso NicolaĻdis of openDemocracy contend that Europe’s trade policy has the potential to be a powerful instrument for Africa's development. However, it requires a re-think of the existing European-African trade agreements.Commission defiant over lobbying transparency criticism
The Commission has refuted claims that its upcoming lobbyists register, due in spring, will be 'useless' without more detailed information.EU to tighten border controls, critics fear 'Fortress Europe'
The Commission has proposed setting up a European border patrol system and a requirement for travellers to submit their fingerprints before entering the EU, in plans unveiled yesterday (13 February).Detailed polling on Sarkozy's image
Opinonway has just released detailed polling data on Sarkozy's current image among the various French voting blocs of the first presidential round, summed up in this here in Le Figaro. Opinionway posed 5 questions on Sarkozy behavior so far, and asked those polled to say whether or not he matches their idea of a president. Here are the highlights:Post-Bush World: Constraints on US Foreign Policy Changes
By Crispin Williams
This week in Network Europe
- Should the taxpayer protect people who spark controversy and put themselves in under threat from extremists? An acclaimed critic of Islam finds herself out in the cold
- GM crops – worthy of a ban?
- Global warming reaches Poland
- This year’s World Press Photo Awards beg the question: is photo-journalism suffering at the hands of a tight-fisted media?
- Madonna brings rubbish to the Berlin film festival in the form of her directorial debut, we also hear about some good movies showing there
- 50 Years of women priests in Sweden
