About: religion
Freedom of religion and belief beyond the EU’s borders
Religious freedom is one of the most essential human rights, enshrined solidly in international law. Being part of EU primary law, the Union has committed to promote and protect religious freedom worldwide. VideoPromoted content
The EU needs a Special Representative for freedom of religion or belief
77% of the world’s population – that is 5.5 billion people - are living in countries where the free exercise of religion or belief is severely restricted.
EU envoy on religious freedom: ‘Indifference, ignorance and fear’ are terror’s greatest allies
To mark his first anniversary in the role as the EU’s inaugural Special Envoy for the Freedom of Religion or Belief Outside the EU, EURACTIV.com interviewed Ján Figeľ about the headscarf ban, Islamist terrorism and growing up Catholic in a communist state.
Amnesty warns ECJ headscarf ban ruling ‘panders to prejudice’
A landmark ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJK) that EU companies can ban employees from wearing religious symbols, such as the Muslim headscarf, panders to prejudice, Amnesty International warned today.
Christians recognised as most persecuted religious group worldwide
Around the world, Christians are being persecuted because of their faith. The European Parliament brought much-needed recognition to the victims of persecution and needs to follow up with concrete tools to protect religious groups worldwide, writes Adina Portaru.
Dutch populist leader rises in polls after conviction
The party of populist anti-Islam Dutch MP Geert Wilders has risen strongly in the polls since the lawmaker was tried and convicted of discrimination, according to a survey published Sunday (11 December).
Austrian churches slam Hofer for ‘God’ slogan
Austrian church officials on Monday (24 October) denounced far-right presidential candidate Norbert Hofer for "instrumentalising" God in a new slogan as he seeks to rally support ahead of a scandal-plagued election re-run.
Cut funds to states that turn away refugees, Italy urges EU
Eastern states that continue to refuse to take in refugees to help frontline countries in Europe's migration crisis should have their EU funding cut, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said on Wednesday (12 October).
Abortion protests rock Polish government, prompt backtrack
Poland's ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party has looked firmly in control since sweeping to power a year ago but it may have pressed its conservative agenda too far by initially backing a virtual ban on abortion.
Poll: British public heavily in favour of burqa ban
Twice as many British people support a ban on women wearing a burqa than oppose one, with a majority also in favour of outlawing the burkini, according to a poll published Thursday (31 August).
Ban on headscarves and religious clothing is discrimination
Muslim women wearing headscarves are facing yet another hurdle on the path towards inclusion and employment in the European labour market, writes Michaël Privot.
Debate on religion, immigration, political correctness rages on Twitter
Social media are overflowing with reactions following the Bastille Day attack in Nice (14 July), with some users denouncing Western political correctness and others responding that Islam is not about terrorism. The terrorist proved to be a 31-year old French...
German parliament condemns Turkish threats against lawmakers
The president of Germany's parliament condemned threats against German lawmakers of Turkish origin after the Bundestag last week passed a resolution declaring the 1915 massacre of Armenians by Ottoman forces a genocide.
At Ramadan, refugees in Europe dream of family and comfort food
As Ramadan began in Germany on Monday (6 June), Syrian asylum seeker Khairallah Swaid said he would pray for a reunion with his wife, who is stranded at a camp in Greece, and crave his mother's makloubeh, a meat and rice dish served during the fasting month.
AfD lashes out at Özil
His national credentials are indisputable. Named ‘best German abroad’ in January by football tabloid Kicker, it was the fifth such crowning for the Ruhr-born midfielder, following four consecutive years as Germany’s player of the year.
EU urges Bosnia to publish census results
The European Union urged Bosnia Thursday to publish by July the results of a national census, the latest subject of an inter-ethnic dispute but which is considered a crucial step towards EU integration.
Little Europe
If we want to transcend the dichotomy between regulated diversity and nationalist reaction, Europeans will have to go beyond mere tolerance. Whether or not this takes place within a common European identity is another question, argues Josh White.
Christians in Middle East have a ‘vocation’ to stay
The violence and terror of IS has effectively driven all Christians and Yazidis from their homes in Iraq. To stay in the Middle East or not - that’s the most pressing question for refugees in the region, writes Benoit Lanoo.
Fire source and peace force: The role of religion in development
Since 9/11, religion has been considered a source of conflict. But Germany's Development Ministry wants to reevaluate the the positive role it can play in developing countries.
Books that bind Europe together: This year’s EU Literature Prize
SPECIAL REPORT: Can a majority Muslim state, on Europe’s southernmost periphery, be considered not just European, but even worthy of an EU prize for literature?
British woman wins religious discrimination case
An employee who was asked by British Airways to remove a Christian cross from around her neck has won a religious discrimination case at Europe's human rights court but three other claimants lost similar cases on Tuesday (15 January).
Britons take workplace religion fight to European rights court
British employers trample on religious freedoms by barring staff from wearing crosses at work, requiring them to provide sex advice to gays, or to preside at same-sex civil partnership ceremonies, four Christians told Europe's top rights court yesterday (4 August).
Belgian lawmakers first in EU to outlaw burqa
Belgium this week took one step closer to becoming the first European country to outlaw Islamic veils that completely hide a woman's face. The ban could become effective this summer if legislation passed yesterday (29 April) is confirmed by the Senate.