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secularism

US panel slams Europe's 'aggressive secularism'
01/05/2013 - RELIGION

US panel slams Europe's 'aggressive secularism'

A US government report released Tuesday criticised European countries for promoting "aggressive secularism", including a French ban on full-face veils and prohibitions elsewhere in Europe on religious attire, ritual slaughter and circumcision.
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Antisectarian campaign in Egypt
17/04/2013 - WEBNEWS

Antisectarian campaign in Egypt

Today on the net, an anti-sectarian campaign in Egypt. "Hallway swimming" becomes the latest craze to sweep the net. And social networkers in India campaign against a proposed ban on Internet pornography.
French school excludes Muslim girl for wearing headband
05/04/2013 - FRANCE

French school excludes Muslim girl for wearing headband

A French family is set to sue a school for separating their daughter from her classmates for wearing a five-centimetre-wide headband and a long skirt that was deemed too religious. France has strict rules about religious symbols in school.
Turkey and the EU: drifting apart (part 2)
24/11/2012 - EUROPE DISTRICT

Turkey and the EU: drifting apart (part 2)

We travel to the border with Syria where the situation remains very difficult for over 120,000 Syrian refugees sheltering in Turkish camps. We also meet members of the Alevi community who feel marginalized in predominantly Sunni Turkey. Finally, we take you for a walk through the streets and backstreets of Istanbul, with famous TV presenter Levent Erden.
Turkey and the EU: drifting apart
24/11/2012 - EUROPE DISTRICT

Turkey and the EU: drifting apart

Eight years after the opening of membership talks, Turkish pride is wounded as the country feels rejected by a number of EU member states. Meanwhile, critics say the ruling AK Party of Prime Minister Erdogan has challenged Turkey's secular system and undermined freedom of expression. But we also discover a very confident Turkey with a booming economy and a new diplomacy.
Turkish pianist on trial for insulting Islam on Twitter
18/10/2012 - TURKEY

Turkish pianist on trial for insulting Islam on Twitter

Virtuoso Turkish pianist Fazil Say appeared Thursday at an Istanbul court, where he has been charged with inciting hatred and insulting Islam in a series of Twitter posts.
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Tunisian Islamist leader urges Salafists to oust liberals
11/10/2012 - TUNISIA

Tunisian Islamist leader urges Salafists to oust liberals

Statements made by the head of Tunisia’s Islamist Ennahda party have worried secular-minded citizens in the north African country. An online video shows Rached Ghannouchi calling on young Salafists to drive liberals from the country’s top jobs. Ghannouchi said the comments were taken out of context, and dated back to a meeting with Salafist youths held in February.
French minister in unholy row over morality classes
06/09/2012 - FRANCE

French minister in unholy row over morality classes

France’s education minister Vincent Peillon has called for “secular morality” classes to be introduced in schools, leading to a stinging accusation from his predecessor that his announcement echoes an appeal by disgraced Vichy leader Marshal Pétain.
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Turkish pianist could face jail for 'insulting' Islam
02/06/2012 - TURKEY

Turkish pianist could face jail for 'insulting' Islam

Fazil Say, an internationally renowned pianist, could face jail in his native Turkey for messages he posted on the micro blogging site Twitter. An Istanbul court said Say may have insulted religious values, changes the pianist denies.
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Tunisians protest a ban on protests
10/04/2012 - TUNISIA

Tunisians protest a ban on protests

Tunisian police used tear gas to break up a rally in Tunis's symbolic Avenue Bourguiba, on Monday commemorating "Martyr's Day". Protests in central areas of the capital have been banned since last month, but that hasn't stopped demonstrators angry with the ruling moderate Islamist Ennahdha party from turning out in the streets. It comes at a time of increasing pressure on the embattled coalition government from both ends of the political spectrum.
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