European ruling allows companies to forbid wearing of hijab
The European Court of Justice has ruled that EU companies can forbid employees from wearing the hijab, provided it is part of a broader ban on all headwear. Judges were considering a case where a Muslim woman was told she could not wear a headscarf when she applied for a six-week traineeship at a Belgian social housing company. The European Court of Justice said the internal rule prohibiting the visible wearing of religious, philosophical or spiritual signs does not constitute direct discrimination if it is applied to all workers in a general and undifferentiated way. The Telegraph explains that the European Court has also said companies can ban the wearing of the headscarf if they want to project neutrality. Germany bans the headscarf for women at work and France banned hijabs in state schools and for barristers in court/ Belgium banned the wearing of partial or total face veils in public in 2011. Austria, Latvia, Bulgaria and Denmark have also banned the full face veil. In the Netherlands, niqabs and burkas are banned in schools, hospitals and on public transport but not on the street.
India hijab ban challenged in court
A court judgment on the banning of the hijab at educational establishments in the Indian state of Karnataka, has been referred up to a court with a larger number of judges. The dispute began early this year when a hijab ban for school students triggered protests. The state government said the order was “religion-neutral.” The Associated Press reports that Muslims, who comprise 14 per cent of India’s population, fear they are being shunted aside as a minority and “see hijab bans as a worrying escalation of Hindu nationalism under Modi’s government”.
Iran hijab protests enter a second month
Protests at the enforcement of a compulsory hijab rule in Iran are entering their second month. They began on 16 September when Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman, died in custody after being arrested for not wearing her hijab correctly. Protests spread around and in Iran, where gatherings have turned violent again in the capital and Kurdish towns to the west. The Guardian reports that in the last day, Ali Larijani, a former speaker of the Iranian parliament, has called for a re-examination of the enforcement of compulsory hijab law and acknowledged the protests had deep political roots.
Pope presses for urgent ceasefire in Ukraine
The Holy See‘s permanent observer to the United Nations in New York has issued an urgent plea for a ceasefire in Ukraine and called for disarmament and the banning of nuclear weapons. He echoed the Pope’s appeal for an immediate ceasefire and for negotiations to start, so that solutions can be found by consensus and not imposed by force.
Charities urge government to continue host family Homes for Ukraine scheme
A coalition of charities, including faith groups, have written to the government calling for the Homes for Ukraine scheme to be maintained. Thousands of Ukrainians have been put up in people’s homes for six months, with the government paying £350 to host families. Now groups such as The Sanctuary Foundation, led by Kris Kandiah, have told the government that a community resettlement scheme is the best way of welcoming refugees. They are appealing to the government to continue funding the programme and finding homes with private landlords when the six-month time period ends. The letter was coordinated by the community organisation More In Common.
Christian Climate Action joining “The October Rebellion” this weekend
Christian Climate Action is joining a protest in London this weekend to highlight the climate crisis and links with the cost of living crisis. Members will meet in Trafalgar Square holding a service and vigil as part of a mass protest. On Saturday they will join Extinction Rebellion for events including talks and music. On Sunday they will march from Hyde Park to Parliament Square, carrying on oak sapling, with the message, “reclaim and re-vision our future”. Members have taken part in protests outside parliament this week, including blocking the road. Independent Catholic News is following the story here >>
Archbishop visits indigenous communities in Australia
The Church Times reports on the closing days of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s visit to Australia. He has visited indigenous ministries in Sydney, and this weekend will visit indigenous communities in North Queensland. His address in Sydney was on the theme of reconciliation, that terrible things had been done, but the future could be changed.
Hillsong whistleblower sues the church after being suspended
Natalie Moses, who provided information on Hillsong’s accounts to the charities regulator in Australia, is suing the church after being suspended earlier this year. The Australian Associated Press reports her lawyer saying she had exercised her workplace right to make a complaint or inquiry to the regulator, and the suspension amounted to adverse action. The case returns in February.
