23 Aug 2010 | Index Index, minipost
The Bosnian Central Parliament is to discuss new legislation on 1 September that would ban the wearing of a face veil, or niqab. The new law would impose a 24-hour curfew on veiled women, and those violating the ban could be fined 50 euros. Muslim women held a protest outside the Central Parliament in Sarajevo after the proposal was made by the Bosnian Serb Party of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD). France and Syria have already banned the veil, and the Netherlands and Belgium are considering similar legislation.
9 Aug 2010 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost, News and features
The television censorship committee in Egypt has decided to delete scenes deemed inappropriate from television dramas such as Al Aar and Al Haijah Zahra that will be aired during the month of Ramadan. Scenes considered inappropriate include those that have sexual connotations and that talk about drugs and secret marriage.
6 Aug 2010 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost
Iran’s supreme leader and cleric, Ayatollah Khamenei released a statement claiming that learning and teaching music are “not compatible” with Islamic laws and values. According to Fars news agency, he said: “It’s better that our dear youth spend their valuable time in learning science and essential and useful skills and fill their time with sport and healthy recreations instead of music.” Khamenei made the comments after one of his followers asked him for advice on taking up music lessons. When Khamenei was president, he banned western-style music.
28 Jul 2010 | Index Index, minipost, News and features
The Chairman of Pakistan’s Judicial Activism Panel, Azhar Siddique, has appealed to the Lahore High Court to permanently ban Facebook. The petition was lodged in wake of an “anti-Islam competition,” entitled “Everybody Burn Koran Day,” being hosted on the website. He additionally called upon authorities to outlaw displaying, publishing or televising blasphemous material of any religion.
