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Secularism Media Scan
This webpage offers a database of English-language news stories about secularism, beginning in January 2023. Users can search by date, country of origin, or topic. Top stories are featured at the top of the page.
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03 February 2026
Quebec minister Drainville is consultating on the province's new secularism bill 9 at the National Assembly. The new secularism bill strengthens secularism in the education system and public services.
By CBC News
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All News
Title | Date | Journal | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
Bangladesh’s interim government led by Yunus lifts ban on the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party | 28/08/2024 | City News | This article explains how the interim government in Bangladesh, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has lifted a ban on the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party originally imposed by the former prime minister. This decision could impact the country's secularism and political landscape significantly. |
Bangladesh's stand against authoritarianism | 28/08/2024 | The Korea Times | This article examines the controversy surrounding Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, focusing on protests against her authoritarian leadership as the primary cause and its impact on secularism. The author, who visited Bangladesh last year, witnessed widespread discontent with Hasina's leadership style and its effects on democratic and secular values. |
Uzbekistan’s Tightrope Between Individual Religious Expression and Secular Governance | 27/08/2024 | The Diplomat | This article explores the challenge Uzbekistan is grappling with as Islamic practices become more prominent. The authorities are working to maintain a secular public sphere while respecting individual religious beliefs. This issue has become critical in Uzbekistan, where the increasing prevalence of Islamic practices has led to efforts to strike a balance between religious freedoms and secular governance. |
DMK’s allies say govt. must refrain from conducting or promoting religious events | 26/08/2024 | The Hindu | This article addresses the controversial decision by the Tamil Nadu government to host a religious event at the Muthamizh Murugan International Conference. This move has drawn criticism from those who believe that governments should not be promoting overtly religious events. The conference has sparked concerns about the separation of religion and state, particularly because the government is involved in organizing the event. |
Chronicles of struggle: The experience of minorities in Bangladesh | 25/08/2024 | Bangladesh Post | This article explains the negative portrayal of Bengali Muslim nationalists and their supporters. They were labeled as atheists and Indian agents. The article highlights the evolution of the Awami League and emphasizes the necessity of a tolerant, liberal, and progressive society focused on secularism. |
Make way for the new Quebec Culture and Citizenship program | 24/08/2024 | Actual News Magazine | This article discusses Quebec's decision to introduce a new Culture program and Quebec citizenship in all primary and secondary schools in the province, four years after announcing the abolition of the Ethics and Religious Culture program in 2020. The new program aims to promote dialogue and critical thinking, with a focus on secularism. It marks a significant change in the educational curriculum and aims to provide students with a broader understanding of Quebec's cultural and ethical values. |
Alleged hijab-removing incident triggers lawsuit against Indonesian president | 23/08/2024 | Anadolu Ajansi | This article discusses the controversy in Indonesia following the decision by school officials to prohibit students from wearing their Islamic face veils during the national flag raising ceremony. |
Iran tries to downplay hijab connection to police shooting of woman | 23/08/2024 | Voices of America | The article examines the increasing instances of law enforcement-related incidents in Iran following the implementation of mandatory regulations regarding the wearing of the Islamic veil. |
AIMPLB president claims Naidu, Nitish Kumar have assured to oppose Waqf Bill | 22/08/2024 | Deccan Herald | This article examines the debate over the opposition to the Waqf Bill, which regulates properties for pious and religious purposes in India. |
Human rights group seeks $1M in damages over Bill 96 'discrimination' | 21/08/2024 | Montreal Gazette | This article discusses the Red Coalition's human rights complaint against Quebec's language law, seeking $1 million in damages from the provincial government. The complaint focuses on the discriminatory impact of Bill 96, which is argued to have furthered secularism and led to division and reinforced discriminatory treatment in Quebec. |
Madras HC’s landmark verdict: A call for secular appointments in Govt-aided educational institutions | 21/08/2024 | Organiser | This article discusses the recent ruling by the Madras High Court, which underlines the importance of appointing secular individuals to government-aided educational institutions. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has emphasized the need to maintain secularism in these institutions, highlighting the necessity of fair and unbiased appointments. This ruling sets a precedent for upholding the principles of equality and non-discrimination in the education sector. |
Secular Civil Code will unify, not divide Indians | 20/08/2024 | The Indian Express | The article discusses how Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech reignited a long-standing debate by focusing on the implementation of a Secular Civil Code (SCC), along with other issues. The Prime Minister's impactful address on this significant occasion had a profound effect on the entire nation, especially resonating with vested interest groups often associated with perpetuating religious divisions. |
Swiss church takes baptism ban to the European Court of Human Rights | 19/08/2024 | CNE News | This article describes how the Swiss church has taken its stance against the baptism ban to the European Court of Human Rights. The Geneva State Council has prohibited public baptisms, citing secular law and permitting only state-connected churches to conduct baptisms. This has prompted the Swiss church to escalate the issue to the European Court of Human Rights for resolution. |
Feminist organizations protest Personal Status Law amendment in Erbil | 19/08/2024 | Shafaq News | This article explains how several feminist organizations and women's rights activists protested in Erbil, Kurdistan Region, to oppose an amendment to the Personal Status Law. |
Uniform civil code not acceptable, says All India Muslim Personal Law Board | 18/08/2024 | Hindustan Times | This article explains how the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, through their spokesperson, Dr. SQR Ilyas, strongly opposed a uniform civil code, declaring that Muslims will never compromise with Sharia Law. This response to PM Modi's announcement categorizes personal laws like Sharia as communal laws. |
Mayawati criticizes PM Modi's call for secular civil code | 17/08/2024 | The Times of India | This article explains how BSP’s national president, Mayawati, criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for advancing a secular civil code during his speech for India’s Independence. However, others believe that Modi’s support for secularism will increase its societal influence. |
Nigerian Catholic Priest Calls for “renewed commitment to evangelization” amid Rising Secularism, Moral Decay | 17/08/2024 | Acia Africa | This article explores the conflict between Nigeria's dedication to evangelization and secularism. The growing secularism in society has sparked debates about the role of religion. |
Proposed Bill Amendment in Iraq Could Allow Girls as Young as 9 to Marry. What to Know | 16/08/2024 | Time | This article explains how the proposed Bill Amendment in Iraq opposes various secular values by allowing Muslim families to marry under religious law. |
India ‘over-invested in Hasina and under-invested in Bangladesh’ – and is now panicking | 15/08/2024 | France 24 | This article explains the impact on secularism in Bangladesh and the safety of Bangladesh’s Hindu minority. |
Allison Hanes: Roberge's meeting with anglo community a total sham | 15/08/2024 | Montreal Gazette | This article discusses the impact of secularism and the language law in Quebec. The meeting with French Language Minister Roberge has presented the English-speaking community with a new challenge regarding the advancement of secularism and the division over language. |
Language Commissioner’s report fails to come to grips with anglophone angst in Quebec | 14/08/2024 | The Hill Times | This article explains the tension in Quebec between secularism and language in light of the recent Language Commissioner's report. Many anglophones believe that the report does not adequately reflect the impact of the bill and its influence on secularism. |
Can a church become a mosque? | 13/08/2024 | The Pillar | This article discusses the tension surrounding the conversion of religious establishments, particularly the debate over churches being transformed into mosques. |
Supreme Court Postpones Hearing on Removal of 'Secular,' 'Socialist' From Preamble | 13/08/2024 | Republic | This article explains the opposition faced by the Supreme Court in India for delaying the hearing to decide whether to remove the word "secular" from its preamble. |
Secularism the way to help end persecution | 12/08/2024 | Birmingham Mail | This article discusses the tension between democratic politics and secularism and its impact on religion. The author describes historical figures and their efforts to end persecution and establish a secularist society. |
LFI MP Ersilia Soudais denounces “Islamophobia” in France | 11/08/2024 | Entrevue FR | This article explains that the MP for La France insoumise (LFI), Ersilia Soudais, stirred controversy by labeling France as an “Islamophobic country” due to the ban on French athletes wearing religious symbols at the Olympic Games. |
Religious minorities in Bangladesh under fire after fall of secular regime | 10/08/2024 | CRUX | This article explains how the secularist prime minister of Bangladesh fled the country. Non-Muslims claim they have suffered attacks in the Islamic-majority country, raising concerns about the safety of religious minorities. |
Bulgarian school welcomes new child protection law | 10/08/2024 | CNE News | This article describes Bulgarian schools as officially secular. The new mandate requires teachers to obtain permission from parents before teaching religious lessons. |
Township in French Corsica bans burkini on beaches | 09/08/2024 | Anadolu Ajansi | This article discusses the ongoing debate regarding the ban on burkinis at the beaches of the French Mediterranean island of Corsica. The ban, which is effective until September 30th, is enforced against individuals whose attire does not comply with the principles of secularism. |
NDA’S Waqf Amendment Bill is Anathema to Champions of Muslim Exclusivism | 09/08/2024 | News 18 | This article explains the issues revolving around the proposed amendments to the Waqf Amendment Bill. Some members of the Muslim community in India assert that this bill could potentially perpetuate religious favoritism and infringe upon the constitutional provisions outlined in Articles 14 through 22. |
Centre's excessive interest in religious matters against Constitution: BSP chief Mayawati reacts to Waqf bill | 08/08/2024 | Deccan Herald | This article illustrates how the increased involvement and interference of the central and Uttar Pradesh governments in religious matters goes against the Constitution. |
Health-care language directive is immoral and dangerous | 07/08/2024 | Montreal Gazette | This article describes the Quebec government's decision to prioritize healthcare language and the promotion of secularism. The influence of Bill 96 has intensified the debate on language and secularism among citizens who believe that secularism is imposing more restrictions. |
Secularity has its limits | 07/08/2024 | CNE News | This article explains the trends of secularism in face of the increasing belief in Christianity. The author states that the increased non-religious affilitation amongst Americans is becoming more prevalent. |
Senegal's Church 'outraged' at PM remarks on headscarf | 06/08/2024 | The Balochistan Times | This article discusses the Senegalese Catholic Church's expression of "outrage" after Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko stated that his government would no longer accept barring Muslim headscarf-wearing students from class. This declaration sparked controversy in the predominantly Muslim country known for its religious tolerance. Despite no official prohibition, a Dakar Catholic institution barred over 20 Muslim high-school students from wearing the hijab five years ago. Senegal's constitution has reinforced the country to be a secular and democratic republic. |
‘Mujib’s secularism had limits, and so did his trust in India’: Looking back at Bangladesh in 1975 | 05/08/2024 | Hindustan Times | This article describes the impact of Mujib's secularism in Bangladesh on religious minorities and the country's status as an Islamic Republic. |
Religious freedom under attack in Oklahoma schools | 04/08/2024 | LA Times | This article discusses how the chief of schools in Oklahoma is requiring all public schools to include the teaching of religion and the Bible from elementary to high school, with the aim of educating students about their historical significance. However, many people argue that this mandate contradicts the principle of religious freedom. |
Marseille and the sea: A portrait of the millennia-old port city that is hosting Olympic sailing | 03/08/2024 | Canadian Press News | This article discusses the controversy surrounding swimming in France and the regulation of religious attire in public spaces. Parents who have provided medical certificates to excuse their children from swimming in school due to their religious beliefs, specifically the inability to wear the headscarf, have challenged the Ministry of Education in France. |
Egyptian women’s beach volleyball team slams French hijab ban after Olympic match | 02/08/2024 | ASB Zeitung | This article desribes the Egyptian women's beach volleyball team's reaction to France's prohibition on athletes wearing hijabs after participating in an Olympic beach volleyball match. Marwa Abdelhady and Doaa Elghobashy represented Egypt at the Paris Olympics and wore hijabs. In an interview with CNN's Swedish affiliate Expressen, the athletes expressed their dissatisfaction with the hijab ban for French athletes, emphasizing the importance of respecting athletes' attire choices based on their culture and religion, despite the secular ban. |
Olympics-Hijab Compromise Fails to Quell France's Discrimination Debate | 02/08/2024 | U.S News | This article covers the debate surrounding religious symbols at the Paris Olympic Games. Sylla, a 26-year-old Olympic athlete, wore a navy blue baseball cap to comply with French secular laws that ban the Islamic headscarf. Some people saw this as continuing discrimination against Muslims, while others saw it as a move to soften the authorities' position. It also includes the views of human rights advocates and a French lawyer on the compromise, highlighting the ongoing discussion about religious freedom in France. |
Dionysius on the Seine | 01/08/2024 | Times of Malta | This article discusses the heated debate surrounding the performance at the Olympics' opening ceremony. The main point of contention is the controversial parody depicting state influence in religious issues. The author argues that using Christianity's central sacrament was inappropriate as it suggests state intervention in religious affairs, despite the state being declared as secular. |
Uproar in Bengal Assembly over Hakim’s remark at Quran event, BJP demands apology, boycott him | 01/08/2024 | Indian Express | This article delves into the controversy that arose during a religious event at the Bengal Assembly. The statements made by Kolkata Mayor and TMC minister Firhad Hakim at the event led to uproar in the West Bengal Assembly on Wednesday. BJP legislators called for an apology from him for his "communal speech." This incident also reflects the ongoing tension between secularism and religion in India. |
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