Category: Agama

Firms Can Ban Wearing Of Religious Symbols: EU Court

European companies can ban employees from wearing religious or political symbols including the Islamic headscarf, the European Union’s top court ruled on Tuesday (March 14) in a landmark case.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) said it does not constitute “direct discrimination” if a firm has an internal rule banning the wearing of “any political, philosophical or religious sign”.

The Luxembourg-based court was ruling on the case of a Muslim woman fired by the security company G4S in Belgium after she insisted on wearing a headscarf.

The ruling came on the eve of a Dutch election in which Muslim immigration has been a key issue and a bellwether for attitudes to migration and refugee policies across Europe. Terror attacks by over the past year or so have raised alarms in the continent, where the wearing of religious symbols, and especially Islamic symbols such as the headscarf has become a hot button issue.

Mr Manfred Weber, head of the centre-right European People’s Party, the biggest in the European Parliament, welcomed the ruling.

“Important ruling by the European Court of Justice: employers have the right to ban the Islamic veil at work. European values must apply in public life,” Mr Weber said in a tweet.

The ECJ was ruling on a case dating to 2003 when Ms Samira Achbita, a Muslim, was employed as a receptionist by G4S security services in Belgium.

At the time, the company had an “unwritten rule” that employees should not wear any political, religious or philosophical symbols at work, the ECJ said.

In 2006, Ms Achbita told G4S she wanted to wear the Islamic headscarf at work but was told this would not be allowed.

Subsequently, the company introduced a formal ban. Ms Achbita was dismissed and she went to court claiming discrimination.

The ECJ said European Union law does bar discrimination on religious grounds, but G4S’s actions were based on treating all employees the same, meaning no one person was singled out for application of the ban.

“The rule thus treats all employees of the undertaking in the same way, notably by requiring them, generally and without any differentiation, to dress neutrally,” the ECJ said.

“Accordingly, such an internal rule does not introduce a difference of treatment that is directly based on religion or belief,” it said.

However in a related case in France, the ECJ ruled that a customer could not demand that a company employee not wear the Islamic headscarf when conducting business with them on its behalf.

Design engineer Asma Bougnaoui was employed full-time by Micropole, a private company, in 2008, having been told that wearing the headscarf might cause problems with clients.

Following a customer complaint, Micropole asked Ms Bougnaoui not to wear the headscarf on the grounds employees should be dressed neutrally.

She was subsequently dismissed and went to court claiming discrimination.

The ECJ said the case turned on whether there was an internal company rule in place applicable to all, as in the G4S instance, or whether the client’s demand meant Ms Bougnaoui was treated differently.

The ECJ concluded that Ms Bougnaoui had indeed been treated differently and so the client’s demand that she not wear a headscarf “cannot be considered a genuine and determining occupational requirement”.

Source: Today

March 15, 2017
No One Should Spread Ill-Will Against Other Religions Or Non-Believers: DPM Teo

Singapore must keep a close watch on exclusivist and divisive teachings or statements, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said on Tuesday (March 14).

Such remarks have had repercussions in other countries, he noted in a speech at the annual retreat of the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG), a group of local Muslim scholars who have been countering terror detainees’ misunderstanding of religious concepts.

“Attacks claimed to be in the name of Islam have led to a rise in Islamophobia, with anti-immigration rhetoric and negative reactions among other communities,” he said.

“More importantly, no person should spread ill-will against other religions or non-believers,” said Mr Teo.

Mr Teo, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security, said the Government takes a strong stand on such teachings or statements.

“We will investigate each case carefully, and take action if necessary,” he said.

“It has taken many years for us to build a cohesive society, united as one people regardless of race or religion. We must focus on what we have in common rather than allow others to divide us,” he added.

He was speaking in Malay to about 50 RRG members and volunteers, many of them religious teachers.

In his speech, Mr Teo noted that the threat of terrorism to Singapore and the region is at its highest level in recent years.

As terror group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) faces severe pressure in Syria and Iraq, its fighters are likely to disperse and find new battlegrounds.

“We have to be prepared for attacks from ISIS-linked cells in South-east Asia,” he said.

Observers have noted that the threats of terrorism and extremism could have an impact on social cohesion here, and Mr Teo suggested three levels the RRG could help in building a united and cohesive society.

First, it can counsel individuals at risk and detainees to support their rehabilitation.

Such individuals now tend to be significantly younger, have no prior terror links and were self-radicalised by extremist propaganda, said Mr Teo.

Second, the RRG can play a “peace-building” role to enhance cohesion and promote inter-faith understanding within the Singapore community.

“By working with other communities and religious groups, we can show how Islam as a religion is inclusive and consistent with our nation’s values,” he said.

This is especially important as exclusivist religious teachings from the internet or preachers have tried to make inroads into Singapore, he added.

Third, the RRG can continue to strengthen the understanding of the practice of Islam within Singapore’s multi-racial and multi-religious context.

“Every one of you in the RRG has worked tirelessly,” Mr Teo said, thanking members for their work. “You make an important contribution to maintaining peace and harmony among all Singaporeans,” he said.

Source: ST

March 14, 2017
Muslim Girl Has Perfect Answer To Man’s Sarcasm About Bacon

A Twitter user who goes by the name Paul Shikari tweeted a picture of a bacon sandwitch with the message “Feel sorry for Muslims not being able to eat bacon”. Although there is an undertone of sarcasm in his tweet we cannot be certain that he was being sarcastic. There is a chance that he was genuinely sorry for Muslims missing on what he believes to be a great meal.

Aleesha saw that post on Twitter and decided that enough was enough, she was just sick of people repeating the same nonsense about bacon being so awesome Muslims are really missing out on some great food. So she replied with the following:

Source: Twitter & allamericanmuslim

March 14, 2017
Saya Bukan Terrorist: Zakir Naik

“Saya minta mereka yang tuduh saya terrorist menyebut demikian di hadapan khalayak,” kata penceramah terkenal dunia, Dr Zakir Naik.

Menurutnya, beliau hairan apabila ada yang menuduhnya pembawa agenda terrorist, sedangkan beliau tidak pernah melakukannya.

Beliau percaya mereka mempunyai agenda tersendiri, demi kepentingan diri sendiri atau organisasi.

“Saya tidak pernah lakukan pemberontakan atau keganasan terhadap manusia sepanjang hidup. Saya hanya sampaikan mesej kedamaian kepada seluruh manusia

“Ada beberapa pihak yang tidak mahukan kedamaian wujud di dunia ini. Jadi, untuk merealisasikan perkara tersebut, pihak terbabit membuat tuduhan tidak berasas terhadap saya,” katanya dalam temu bual eksklusif bersama Sinar Harian di Kumpulan Media Karangkraf (Karangkraf), semalam.

Beliau menyifatkan pihak yang menggelarnya sebagai terrorist mungkin seorang terrorist, berdasarkan tuduhan dilemparkan terhadapnya.

Selain melakukan keganasan secara fizikal, Dr Zakir mengklasifikasikan mereka yang menimbulkan persepsi keganasan terhadap minda manusia boleh dipanggil sebagai terrorist.

“Umumnya, ramai mengetahui ribuan penonton yang akan hadir sekiranya saya buat sesi ceramah dan ramai menerima mesej tersebut untuk diaplikasikan dalam kehidupan mereka.

“Ada pihak yang tidak senang dengan tindakan saya, lantas mereka buat tuduhan tidak berasas terhadap saya, sedangkan saya menyampaikan mesej kedamaian demi ALLAH SWT.

“Saya tidak hiraukan apa yang dilakukan mereka dan saya akan terus sampaikan mesej ini,” tegasnya.

Di sebalik tuduhan itu, Dr Zakir bersyukur kerana banyak negara Islam menyokong usahanya .

“Jika ditakdir masuk penjara pun saya tidak menyesal bahkan lega kerana menyampaikan mesej untuk kebaikan manusia sejagat.

Mengenai Islamic Research

Foundation yang digantung kerajaan India untuk tempoh lima tahun, beliau bersedia dibicarakan, tapi mahu ia dibicara di mahkamah antarabangsa.

“Saya minta Kerajaan India untuk melakukan pendakwaan terhadap saya di mahkamah antarabangsa atau di Malaysia,” katanya.

Ketika ini, anggota yayasan dan ahli keluarga penceramah itu menerima ancaman dan ugutan oleh pihak tertentu.

Source: sinarharian

March 14, 2017
More Than 700 Tour Mosque in Raleigh To Learn About Islam

An open house at the Islamic Association of Raleigh drew a crowd of more than 700 visitors.

Red, white, and blue signs with the American flag and an outline of the United States greeted guests at the Islamic Center with “Meet Your Fellow American Muslims” in big lettering across the top.

“The challenge is, for so many Americans and so many people, their view of Islam is shaped through the lens of terrorism,” Imam Mohamed AbuTaleb said.

“To open our doors is part of what makes this community rich and vibrant. To open our doors I believe is part of the vision, the essence of what the Founding Fathers envisioned in founding this country even if we’ve been on a long and continuing journey to reach some of those ideas,” he said.

“For us today, this is part of what it means to be Muslim, part of our worship and our devotion to God,” Imam AbuTaleb added.

Imam AbuTaleb, who has a PhD in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in addition to being a Muslim scholar, spent more than an hour answering questions for the guests before they joined the hosts for a feast of food from Muslim countries around the word.

Groups from many local churches toured the mosque alongside others curious about Islam and their Muslim-American neighbors. They observed midday prayer and listened to readings from the Quran.

About 20 members of the congregation from Holy Trinity Lutheran Church joined senior pastor Sharon Taylor for the open house.

“We’re trying to break down barriers and try to understand other faiths and understand people who have different cultures. Start with conversation and be a part of coming to the table and trying to learn about each other,” Taylor said.

“It’s wonderful. Their hospitality is amazing and it’s an opportunity for us to come together and ask questions,” Taylor added.

Outreach director and prayer leader Fiaz Fareed gave a presentation about Islam and answered some audience questions before the early afternoon prayer began.

Larry Anderson, a member of Umstead Park United Church of Christ, said the part of the day that appealed most to him was observing the prayer.

“We each have a prayer life that’s kind of secret, and I’m always impressed with how open the Muslim faith is with sharing their common faith in a way of prayer time,” Anderson said.

He said the main thing he took away from the open house was learning about how much Muslims embrace Christianity and Judaism. Anderson said people need to recognize their commonality and diminish their differences.

Tammy Kechout said the number of people who came to show support for their Muslim neighbors was incredible. She converted to Islam six years ago.

Kechout said a lot of people who participated are normally quiet, but told her they came to express their disgust at how Muslims are being treated.

“We are Americans. We want to be seen just as anyone else,” Kechout said.

Another volunteer, Yousef Abuahmad, said Saturday’s attendance was triple the size of previous open houses, which he said shows allies supporting Muslims are growing. However, he said it seems a growing number of people also view and treat Islam as a boogeyman.

“On some level it does hurt. We’ve come to acknowledge that this is just the current environment that we’re in right now,” Abuahmad said.

“Instead of getting upset about it, the better thing to do is to rise above and just address it and change people’s minds and change people’s hearts.”

The Islamic Association of Raleigh invites people who couldn’t attend to contact them for individual tours and question sessions. That invitation includes people who may have a negative or hostile attitude towards Muslims.

“We open up to everyone to come. People who have questions. People who don’t understand what Islam is,” Kechout said.

“People that are tearing their hearts out inside, saying that Muslims are not good people. We want them to come and see and to come meet someone and ask questions.”

The Imam addressed the connection made between Islam and terrorism. He said ISIS is as Islamic as the Ku Klux Klan is Christian.

AbuTaleb criticized what he referred to as “the perversion and abhorrent abuse of faith” for qualifying one’s actions.

He and many of the Muslims in the prayer room applauded and praised their guests for having the courage to come to the open house.

“That’s an important part about what makes our community rich. The ability to demonstrate the capacity to have this conversation,” AbuTaleb said.

“So much of our community is caught up in a divisive rhetoric, and doesn’t know that there is a different way to engage one another and have conversations like today.”

Source: WNCN

March 14, 2017