The Dutch chain store Hema has admitted that it didn't treat its shop assistant in a fair way. Hema has proposed 20-year-old Joyce to return and to take a new job with Hema, but she refuses as it involves a position where she would no longer have contact with customers.
(click image to enlarge)
The idea of third-level education for imams was also welcomed at the Faculty of Theology at the University of Helsinki. However, the dean of the faculty Aila Lauha emphasised that, in line with general university standards, such education should be based on research rather than on religious faith. Drawing comparisons to the education of Lutheran priests, Lauha noted that the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran church does not get to determine the contents of their education.
Lauha supports high-quality professional research on Islam, as well as its inclusion as a university subject. The research should focus on the history, doctrine, faith and present-day realities of Islam.
Universities are ready for a dialogue with the Muslim community about the contents of such education, although in the final analysis this needs to conform to university standards.
(source)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has sacked his diversity adviser after he called on Muslims not to support the governing UMP party, reports say.
Abderrahmane Dahmane, a Muslim and former UMP official appointed to his post only in January, was protesting against a planned debate on Islam.
He said Muslim members of the UMP should not renew their party membership unless the debate was cancelled.
He condemned UMP leader Jean-Francois Cope as a "plague for Muslims".
(source)
The Senate has passed a motion calling for the integration of foreigners to be standardised across the country.
The move comes after the House of Representatives passed a similar motion. But unlike the House, the Senate would like some general rules for integration as opposed to a separate legal framework.
It also wants to give the cabinet the power to update the law on foreigners. Some areas being targeted include improving prospects for young people and providing professional training.
(source)
