France’s Sports Minister, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, has announced that French Muslim athletes will be barred from wearing hijabs at the Olympics. The decision is a gross violation of the religious freedom of Muslim athletes and should be condemned throughout the world.
I have long been critical of the French crackdown on Muslim head coverings and swimwear. Officials insist that such religious clothing is inconsistent with the secular laws of the country. The denial of basic religious freedom in France is consistent with the French denial of free speech protections. As discussed in my new book, free expression is in tatters in France.
France has been a leader in the rollback on free speech in the West with ever widening laws curtailing free speech. These laws criminalize speech under vague standards referring to “inciting” or “intimidating” others based on race or religion. For example, fashion designer John Galliano has been found guilty in a French court on charges of making anti-Semitic comments against at least three people in a Paris bar. At his sentencing, Judge Anne Marie Sauteraud read out a list of the bad words used by Galliano to Geraldine Bloch and Philippe Virgitti, including using ‘dirty whore” in criticism.
In another case, the father of French conservative presidential candidate Marine Le Pen was fined because he had called people from the Roma minority “smelly.” A French teenager was charged for criticizing Islam as a “religion of hate.”
The freedoms of speech and religion are co-existent and co-dependent. Religious speech is the leading target of government crackdowns under blasphemy laws and censorship systems. The freedom of speech sustains all other rights, which is why it is accurately called “the indispensable right.”
It is little surprise that a nation that criminalizes speech would also deny religious expression and observances.
There should be global outrage over the refusal to allow French Muslim women to adhere to their religious values in sporting events. These women want to compete for their nation, but their nation will not allow them to do so in a way that is consistent with their faith.
Every nation should protest this action and demand that France reverse its intolerant position.
The United States Department of State has just issued its annual watchlist of the world’s worst religious freedom offenders, and strikingly, Nigeria did not make the cut. The country is among the most dangerous in the world to be a Christian, and daily we hear news of abuses imperiling the human rights of all Nigerians. In breaking news: Since at least 2013, the Nigerian military has conducted systematic, wide-scale forced abortions on at least 10,000 women and girls, many of which were kidnapped and raped by Islamist militants.
Yet in spite of clear-cut evidence of mass human rights atrocities, the U.S. government remains silent, failing to designate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern.” Between January 2021 and March 2022, more than 6,000 Christians were targeted and killed in Nigeria. In May of this year, Christian student Deborah Yakubu was stoned to death and her body burned in Sokoto State, Nigeria, after classmates deemed her WhatsApp messages blasphemous. Following this tragedy, Rhoda Ya’u Jatau, a Christian woman from the northeast, is now on trial for blasphemy for sharing a WhatsApp message condemning Deborah’s brutal killing. And earlier this year, humanist Mubarak Bala was sentenced to 24 years in prison for social media posts critical of Islam.
What will it take to break the Biden administration’s silence? Now, Nigeria is garnering international attention as a result of an upcoming case at its Supreme Court challenging a law criminalizing so-called “blasphemous” expression. You can be put to death under Nigerian law for this “crime.” Musician Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, currently imprisoned and facing the death penalty for blasphemy charges, has petitioned the court to protect his fundamental human rights after being convicted under the Sharia Penal Code of Kano State.
In March 2020, Yahaya shared song lyrics via WhatsApp. This simple act would forever change his life. Accused of insulting the Prophet Muhammad for what he shared, his house was burned to the ground by a mob, and he was arrested and charged with blasphemy. Without the support of a lawyer, he was tried, convicted, and sentenced by a local Sharia judge to death by hanging.
Innocent of any crime, Yahaya filed his notice of appeal in November at the Supreme Court, and this potential landmark case could abolish once and for all Northern Nigeria’s Sharia blasphemy law.
Twenty years ago, the 12 states in Northern Nigeria introduced Sharia into their criminal law codes, despite the Nigerian Constitution’s protections for religious freedom. These laws are only supposed to apply to Muslims, but leave little room for theological diversity among Muslims, and could potentially be applied to converts to Christianity or those who have left Islam. It is imperative that the Supreme Court bring justice to Yahaya, saving his life and offering much-needed legal clarity to end the horror of blasphemy laws for all in Nigeria.
International law, including the international treaties to which Nigeria is bound as a party, is unambiguous — the right to religious freedom is for everyone, and nobody should be punished, much less killed, for what they believe. Moreover, Nigeria’s own constitution protects Yahaya’s rights to free expression and religious freedom. Any person of faith or no faith at all can be penalized, and even killed, as a result of a blasphemy accusation. In a country of more than 200 million, split nearly evenly between Christians and Muslims, it is clear that all Nigerians stand to lose under the blasphemy regime.
Blasphemy laws are not unique to Nigeria. Approximately 40 percent of countries in the world have blasphemy laws in some form, and there are currently at least seven countries where a conviction for blasphemy can result in the death penalty. Nigeria has before it a crucial opportunity to step out as an international leader, serving as a model for the abolishment of these dangerous laws.
The world awaits justice for Yahaya. Last week, the U.K. prime minister’s special envoy for freedom of religion or belief, Fiona Bruce, urged “the international human rights community to speak out on behalf of Sharif-Aminu and for Nigeria to repeal its blasphemy laws.” As he fights for his life, let us remember that this is a fight for the human rights of all Nigerians, and stand with him in advocating for the rights of all people to express themselves without fear.
Paul Coleman is the author of Censored and serves as executive director of ADF International overseeing the global, alliance-building legal organization. ADF International is supporting the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu at the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Find him on Twitter @Paul_B_Coleman.
Many local governments made drive-up churches illegal, Pastor’s using loudspeakers while church attendees sat in their cars could put you in jail. However, the mayor of Minneapolis is “going the extra mile” for a local mosque during Ramadan.
Ramadan is the holiest month of the year for followers of Islam and is a time of prayer and fasting. Most prayers happen inside a mosque. “People are standing shoulder to shoulder and in lines, and so the social distancing is always very challenging,”Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council of American-Islamic Relations said.
Ramadan starts on Thursday, so Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is allowing the Muslim leaders to broadcast by speaker “call to prayer” five times a day in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.
Coronavirus In Minnesota: Mayor Frey Allows Broadcast Of Muslim Call To Prayer In Cedar-Riverside…
The broadcast will be generated from the Dar Al-Hijrah Mosque and organizers expect it will reach thousands of residents, from sunrise to shortly after sunset.
Funny we haven’t seen local governments bend over backward to help Christians celebrate Easter they were almost eager to arrest them.
“We want to make sure that people can practice their religion, yes, but it can’t conflict with the overarching public health guidelines,” Frey said. “It allows people to stay together even when they’re praying apart, and we want to make sure that we’re doing proper social distancing and physical distancing in particular.”
But Christians don’t you dare meet up in a parking lot with a loudspeaker.
The broadcast will come from the Dar Al-Hijrah Mosque and it will reach thousands of residents, even the ones that don’t practice Islam. So even if you don’t practice Islam you are going to hear the call to prayer in the city of Minneapolis five times a day for a month.
Do you think atheists will sue that this infringes on their rights?
Rep. Ilhan Omar who attacked Christians wanting to celebrate Easter, endorse what Frey has decided.
Dar Al-Hijrah mosque in Cedar-Riverside will broadcast a Call to Prayer during the month of Ramadan. We worked with @CAIRMN to help make it happen. During physical distancing, the Call to Prayer can provide a sense of togetherness when we badly need it.https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2020/04/21/coronavirus-in-minnesota-mayor-frey-allows-broadcast-of-muslim-call-to-prayer-in-cedar-riverside-neighborhood-during-ramadan/ …
According to the Blaze, a mosque in New York is allegedly still open for attendees during the Wuhan virus pandemic. Curiously, the Wuhan virus has caused a number of states and municipalities to implement shutdowns which have mandated the closure of Christian churches. Per the Blaze report, the Mosque of Jesus, Son of Mary in Syracuse, New York continues to stay open “while churchgoers in many states have been criticized and even punished for continuing to gather.”
Although the state has an executive order, which categorically bans all “non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason,” neighborhood Muslims are still allowed to congregate in the mosque’s prayer room for prayer sessions throughout the week.
“About 10 worshippers in masks are allowed in at a time, though rarely do that many show up. They stand far apart from each other as they follow a prayer leader standing on a plastic-covered prayer rug,”a Syracuse.com report highlighted. The Blaze report noted “in a video of one of the prayers, it appears that the worshippers are not at least 6 feet away, as the Centers for Disease Control recommends.”
It is still unknown why the Mosque is allowed to operate. However, the mosque has received praise from Syracuse.com for its efforts to “keep the faith” during a time of pandemic and as the month of Ramadan is around the corner.
The report recounted what Irfan Elahi, an asbestos abatement expert who attends mosque, had to say about the matter. He claimed that when the outbreak started, local mosque leaders were concerned that Muslims would become anxious if their daily prayers were cancelled.
During the last few weeks, church gatherings have been prohibited in several states. In a number of cases, church participants were arrested for violating shelter-in-place orders. In Mississippi, several church attendees were slapped with $500 fines for staying in their vehicles in a church parking lot while listening to a radio broadcast of the service. In Kentucky, nails were reportedly placed at parking lot entrances to keep people from participating in the Easter service. A county in northern California prohibited singing during church livestreams unless people stay at home.
In the Big Apple, Mayor Bill de Blasio threatened to “permanently” close churches and synagogues if they did not follow the government’s shelter-in-place order. New York is one of the most anti-freedom states in the nation, so these kinds of bans are to be expected.
But if you’re part of a protected group like Muslim, you can have the state carve out privileges for you.
Under any other circumstances, a law enforcement officer who sacrificed his life to save that of another, whether or not it was in the line of duty, would be widely heralded as a hero. No question.
Arnaud Beltrame was a lieutenant colonel with the National Police in Marseille, France, and he lost his life in the line of duty. He was killed by 25-year-old Radouane Lakdim, a Moroccan-born Muslim terrorist.
Beltrame was certainly a man worthy of honors. But according to Voice of Europe, recognition for his bravery doesn’t seem to be in the cards.
CNN reported the incidents that led to Beltrame’s death in March.
“Interior Minister Gérard Collomb said the officer, a lieutenant colonel with the National Police, offered to exchange himself for one of the female hostages being held inside the Super U supermarket in Trèbes.
“When the officer went inside the supermarket, shots were fired. The lieutenant colonel had his phone on, so police could hear his interactions with the gunman, Collomb said. As soon as they heard gunfire, police went in,” reported CNN.
The standoff lasted more than three hours. Lakdim was killed by police and Beltrame died later of stab wounds.
American Military News reported that the 15th district in Marseille is said to have a significant population of jihadists. Just five months prior to Beltrame’s death, two women were killed by an ISIS terrorist in the same area.
“ISIS-linked news outlet, Amaq News Agency, published a statement in which they referred to the terrorist as a ‘soldier’ of ISIS who carried out their attack on a U.S. ally involved in efforts against ISIS in Syria and Iraq,” AMN wrote.
President Emmanuel Macron had high praises for the slain officer.
“Our country has suffered an Islamist terrorist attack. We’ve paid the price of the danger of the terrorist threat in blood for several years,”Macron said, according to CNN.
“The forces of order intervened with remarkable speed, both to contain the individual who hid away with his hostages, to help one of the victims who was still alive who he had left in the surrounding area. He has saved lives, and done his role and his country proud.”
So, what problem could there be in honoring such a brave man?
In March, the people of France were attempting to honor the bravery of Beltrame after his death and preparing for a “day of tribute,” but sentiments soon changed. As officials in Marseille worked to make a memorial to Beltrame, they hit a road block. Political correctness run amok.
“Attempts to name the city’s 15th district after Beltrame were recently rejected over concerns of offending the Muslim community,” AMN reported.
Marseille’s 7th district National Rally mayor Stephane Ravier said the proposal was refused during a town council meeting. Ravier exclaimed that it was the first time the “Leftist elected officials, socialist and communist” refused such an honor in the 15th district. He claimed their excuse for denying Beltrame a place of honor was because they were afraid of offending the Muslim population and possible retaliation for their public praise of Beltrame.
“Leftist elected officials, socialist and communist, refused that a place in the 15th district be named after Arnaud Beltrame, in the first time, they’ve said, under fallacious pretext, that this place wasn’t prestigious enough, before telling the truth in these terms: we are on the field, we witnessed that the population has changed and if we give the name of Arnaud Beltrame in this district, the population will take that as a provocation,”Ravier said, according to Voice of Europe.
Americans should take a swift lesson from this politically correct travesty in France. Such a sad ending to a tragic story for Beltrame, a true hero. He deserves better. And so do the people of France who are living under the threat of terror.
An enthusiastic grassroots Tea Party activist, Lisa Payne-Naeger has spent the better part of the last decade lobbying for educational and family issues in her state legislature, and as a keyboard warrior hoping to help along the revolution that empowers the people to retake control of their, out-of-control, government.
“I have no words for the delay of the FBI intervening in a situation when a first-person report pinpointed the location of a disabled kidnapped minor went out to not just one, but four agencies. But then again, I was at Garland, Texas where the bulk of us were used for human experimentation as part of a kill box for a couple of luckless, pushed-to-the-finish-line jihad roadies. The FBI covered themselves with glory for that event also.”
“Eleven children were rescued from a compound in New Mexico, which was being run by armed Muslim extremists. Authorities found all the children living in deplorable living conditions after raiding the property looking specifically for a three-year-old boy. It is also being reported that they were training children up for school shootings.”
A Muslim military camp heavily armed in New Mexico? Training up children to go into schools and shoot them up? Yes, you heard that right, in America (Deuteronomy 28:50).
Denmark: 450% more crimes committed by Muslims than non-Muslims.
Germany: Muslim migrants committed 142, 500 crimes in 6 months. This is 780 every day.
Sweden: 480,000 sexual assaults in one year. 77% of all rapes by less than 2% Muslim.
England and Wales: Over 56% of Syrian refugees committed severe crimes in less than 1 year etc.
Belgium: 35% of prison population is Muslim who make up only 6% of the population.
UK: Muslims fill 44% of high security prisons, out of a 5% population.
USA: 91.4 % Muslim refugees are on food stamps, 68.3 % on cash welfare.
Muslim migration has doubled in the decade since 9/11 and 60% of migrants to America favor Sharia law (Deuteronomy 28:15-68).
All that one has to do is look to Germany, Sweden, France, or to the U.K. to see what is happening concerning the Muslim invasions and overthrow of these countries. Again, these Muslims are not coming into these countries to assimilate, they are there to conquer, and it is exactly what they are doing (Matthew 7:16). This is happening incrementally and Scripturally, it is called a siege.
Do remember that this is happening with the help of the silent churches, the apathetic congregants that refuse to obey God, corrupt politicians, and the CIA-controlled media worldwide(Deuteronomy 28:43).
“And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it.” (Deuteronomy 28:63)
Now, I have to say America, that while most of you are beating up on the Democrats (As if to suggest that there is any difference between them and the Republicans) as being a bunch of idiots, I would have you know that the idiots are those that let them do the things that they are unlawfully doing, and that on a daily basis (Psalm 94:20). They know the crimes that they are committing, so do not play their fools. Your representatives are the ones responsible for alluring these Muslims into America and all on the taxpayer’s dime. And it is the media that is using fear tactics by magnifying the crimes of ISIS and ISIL to paralyze you.
Back in 2009, post 9/11, the above report on the jihadi training camps and the one below came out. However, I am not hearing anyone in the corporate-run media raising any flags on this. Why? Only you can answer that.
“Kind of bothered about things here [in the U.S.] too. When you have judges sworn to uphold the constitution, yet ignore its plain language, then whose law are we under really? We are not to obey sharia law nor any other laws, but only laws under the authority of the constitution. Yet we have tax dodgers running free. We have governors and mayors ignoring the law of the land and setting up their own little kingdoms called sanctuary states/cities. Now, if they have that right, is it not possible that a city or state might declare itself a sharia city or state? Neither are allowed by the constitution, but nothing is done. Britain is just a ways down the road waiting at the bend for us to catch up.”
“Reading on the College it seems to put forth education of women to lead change. Funny it would seem by having these groups speak they are further hurting women under Islamic extremists.”
“Canadian politicians at the federal and municipal level ( I don’t know about the Ontario PC party yet) have their heads in the sand. Included in that is the MSM. Clear thinking Canadians do not and are not fooled.”
“The truth, if known, won’t be made public. A misleading statement will be made to pacify the masses directing the police what to say by their political masters which the media will promote. And the politicians and the media wonder why they are no longer trusted by the public.”
“What’s the alternative? Bring back the cold war? Mutually assured nuclear destruction by the 2 global nuclear super powers? They mocked President Reagan for trying to seek peaceful negotiations too. Praying for God’s wisdom and grace to accomplish the same goal to peacefully deescalate tensions here and abroad.”
“For a US administration to get the Saudis to increase oil production as an economic weapon is a major step and show’s what possible when there’s a will to sort out the sources of terrorism instead of a desire to fan the flames and throw fuel on the fire as has been the case previously. Well done Mr P (and of course Pres Trump).”
“Woo .. she has the right of free speech, then condemns anyone that as much as questions her? Interesting. If I had said only one of her favorite sentences, I would be given a sentence on the grounds of Islamophobia/racist response. Why?”
“Real patriots don’t riot. We defend the weak, the old and infirm, the helpless, the young. Rioting and destruction are signs of a primitive mind, a temper tantrum caused by not getting what they want.”
“Canada is handing out poetry books and welfare for returning ISIS fighters. We are told by our prime minister if we let them come home they will not attack us.”
“Let them prove how ignorant and shallow they are in front of millions of viewers. You have the right to show the world you’re an attention-whore and the ones offended can vote with their wallet by not supporting you and with their feet by walking away from you.”
“Maybe they can make a documentary like the one about the Bronx terrorism plot so we can all pretend to feel bad for him, just one big misunderstanding.”
“ ‘How do you defeat an idea? With another idea.’ De-radicalization programs don’t offer another idea. They offer only the absence of an idea. Statists and agnostics are incapable of defeating the faithful of any belief system.”
“I’ve scanned through a few web sites that talk about disengagement and deradicalization attempts. After a cursory look at these pages, they seem to be trying replace Islamic ideology with secular humanism. That might have something to do with the failure rates.”
“I’ve scanned through a few web sites that talk about disengagement and deradicalization attempts. After a cursory look at these pages, they seem to be trying replace Islamic ideology with secular humanism. That might have something to do with the failure rates.”
“It baffles my mind that women in the West are not against this evil, horrific crap!!! You feminists ought to be ashamed!!! Where are the protesters with the pink hats??? Why aren’t the paragons of virtue from The View speaking out against this???!!!”
“Security can mean many things. And can be used to justify a lot of oppression. If you mean secure borders and illegal aliens, yes security is more important. If you are talking about a citizens’ “human rights” then you have to consider it is not about security but destroying opposition.”
“Back to security as a priority. Let’s ensure that 1st. After world peace is established it might be a choice for someone. We don’t allow masks in public except for children on Halloween.”
“It would appear nobody bothered to watch the video, read the content within the article nor bothered to do their own independent research outside of mainstream media who is spoon feeding you. Unconscionable, how anyone could be on the side of these monsters over Israel.”
“Qudrat has publicly acknowledged the incompatibility of Sharia and the Constitution, in favor of the Constitution. It’s an irrevocable break with Sharia that conflicts with Constitutional law, a declaration of opposition to Islamism, and his loyalty to our Constitutional regime. That is what this Muslim running for Congress has done. America’s Muslim enemies will identify themselves by condemning him and calling him an apostate.”
“Good luck! It’s pretty simple. They either do business with Iran or they do business with the United States! But what everybody doesn’t seem to understand is that we have a president who is not a politician. He is a businessman and they have never had to deal with a president like this before!”
“Public schools need to stop encourage Islam. Parents send their kids to learn reading, writing and arithmetic and not Islam. Parents should not let this happen in public schools.”
“Thanks Clarion Project for clearly delineating what needs to happen to bring these countries into the 21st century where people need to have rights, where oppression needs to stop.”
“Because of the Leftist/Islamic convergence. They share the same goals: undermine traditional, Christian, free market America. In other words, the America that you grew up in. Now, as a Leftist, you may feel this is a good thing, and that’s your prerogative. Just be honest about it.”
“Those found guilty should be sent packing immediately! One has already been found guilty in this scheme and is now doing time in Fed prison. We are still feeding and housing her for free! They need to be gone from our country!!!”
“Clarion Project stays on top of things. Great Intel and a good reminder of how Obama willingly played into the hands of Iranian terrorists using American taxpayer funds. Hopefully Trump will spend his two terms neutering Iranian terrorists 100%.”
“The Iranian Green Movement was a perfect time for Obama to help Iran become a free nation again. But instead Obama worked to help the religious extremists who are in power now. What a shame that is. I hope to see an Iran that is free from oppression.”
“This really should be the President’s responsibility — the Authorization for Use of Military Force gives him the authority to do ANYTHING he sees fit to fight terrorists (and yes, this INCLUDES unilaterally suspending or diverting funding from any program which funds any terrorist group, WITHOUT any requirement to consult or even notify Congress!)”
“What makes my blood boil is that anyone paying close attention knew this “deal” should never have been made. I wrote about it at the time. Wrote Kaine and Warner and spelled out what I feared just from watching public hearings, reading open source materials, and reading the deal itself. It’s not a partisan issue. One quote in this report, among many, stood out because it sums up the folly of the deal: *Notably, in January of 2015, Heinonen said that Iran was two to three weeks away from building a nuclear weapon, making it a “nuclear threshold state.” They just didn’t have a delivery system – now they do.”
“The odds that Iran has nukes is a no-brainer there military has continue to develop and manufacture them, no outside inspections. Then they have purchased them from North Korea who needs the money Obama gave them the money there again that’s a no-brainer. The only thing that staggers the mind of a rational person is how the West turns a blind eye and puts all their faith in positive thinking rather than reality.”
“I don’t see anything in the deal that benefits the USA. They get everything and don’t even follow the rules of inspection. Obama gave them billions, uranium via Russia, etc., etc.”
“Words mean a great deal. I was pleased to see Ms. Raza use the term “Regressive” to define the left. Why would we allow them to capture the high ground by accepting and regurgitating their self defined moniker “Progressive”. While “Regressive” makes the point, we should look for a term that accurately defines the self-destructive nature of their policies. “Delusionals”? “Utopians”? Let’s have a contest to come up with the most appropriate and descriptive moniker…”
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American Family Association
American Family Association (AFA), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in 1977 by Donald E. Wildmon, who was the pastor of First United Methodist Church in Southaven, Mississippi, at the time. Since 1977, AFA has been on the frontlines of Ame
American Family Association
American Family Association (AFA), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in 1977 by Donald E. Wildmon, who was the pastor of First United Methodist Church in Southaven, Mississippi, at the time. Since 1977, AFA has been on the frontlines of Ame
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American Family Association
American Family Association (AFA), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in 1977 by Donald E. Wildmon, who was the pastor of First United Methodist Church in Southaven, Mississippi, at the time. Since 1977, AFA has been on the frontlines of Ame
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