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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Religion, Secularism, and the Future of Liberalism | 12/03/2024 | The Objective Standard | This article describes how religion and secularism is impacting the future of liberalism. According to the author, the supporting ideas of religion and secular continue to be debated by classic liberalists. |
In Order To Survive, India Must Shun Hate | 12/03/2024 | Free Press Journal | This article discusses the decline of secularism in India and how the country still shows bias against other religions despite being defined by secularism. |
US Delegation Leaves Saudi Arabia Early Over Kippah Row | 12/03/2024 | Agency France | This article describes how the US delegation left Saudi Arabia after being asked to remove their Jewish head covering, called the kippah. The US delegates left to uphold their role as a government agency that promotes religious freedom. |
Ensure Muslim Women, Girls Can Play SportsOn International Women’s Day, Global Call to End Hijab Ban in French Basketball | 11/03/2024 | Turkish Journal | This article discusses the debate over the ban sports in France. The Sports and Rights Alliance have raised concerns for the equal opportunity and access to basketball for Muslim women who wear the Hijjab. France’s ban is understood to be discriminatory by many individuals in society. |
A Call for Women in India to Resist Anti-Women, Anti-Poor, Anti-Democratic Forces | 11/03/2024 | The Wire | This article describes how many communities in India are fighting the resistance to anti-oppression, anti-democratic and anti-women rhetoric as the influence of secularism continues to rise. |
INDIA bloc a bundle of groups making secularism a joke: Deve Gowda | 10/03/2024 | News 18 | This article describes former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda of the JD(S) party, who criticized the INDIA bloc on Saturday, accusing the group of mocking secularism. According to the JD (S) supremo and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, India's advancement of secularism is lacking due to the different cases and developments that contradict core secular values. |
Malaysia’s Creeping Islamization | 10/03/2024 | Asia Sentinel | This article examines how Mohd Syahbuddin Hashim, a United Malays National Organization assemblyman, voted in favour of a motion to re-enact provisions of the Shariah criminal code that were recently declared unconstitutional by the Malaysian Federal Court. |
INDIA bloc a bundle of groups making secularism a joke | 09/03/2024 | Times of India | This article explains how many Indian politicians from TMC and DMK have criticized Indian secularism for being contradictory to its values. India's commitment to secularism remains questioned, with many skeptical about its influence. |
In many Western societies, Muslim women subjected to religious discrimination | 09/03/2024 | Trend News Agency | This article discusses the issue of religious discrimination faced by Muslim women in many Western societies, as highlighted by Aydin Safikhanli, the Head of the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights of Azerbaijan. Safikhanli's comments underscore the need for continuous efforts to combat and address religious discrimination in all its forms. |
Sports alliance calls for end to hijab ban in French basketball | 09/03/2024 | Arab News | This article discusses the ban on hijabs in basketball in France, which has raised concerns about secularism. The French Federation of Basketball has reinforced its ban, citing a secular approach. However, the Sport and Rights Alliance argues that the ban violates international standards. The debate highlights the challenges faced by secular states in balancing religious freedom with state neutrality. |
Uniform Civil Code: Neither Necessary Nor Desirable | 09/03/2024 | Kashmir Observer | This article highlights that the Uttarakhand Assembly recently passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill. The bill proposes a uniform set of laws governing personal matters for everyone in the country, regardless of religion. However, concerns have been raised that other states may enforce the UCC, leading to nationwide implementation. Some fear that the central government may consider enacting UCC legislation. |
If young Muslim women in this country could take off their hijabs to show solidarity with their sisters in Iran' | 09/03/2024 | Middle East Monitor | This article covers the recent International Women's Day debate at the British Parliament. Lord Young of Norwood Green suggested that UK Muslim women temporarily remove their hijabs in solidarity with their counterparts in Iran. This statement has sparked a discussion about the hijab's societal influence and impact. |
President Ilham Aliyev addresses participants of int'l conference on combating Islamophobia | 08/03/2024 | Azer News | This article describes how President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed an international conference on tackling Islamophobia and promoting diversity in Baku. He raised concerns about the portrayal of Islam as a potential threat and the increased discrimination faced by Muslim communities around the world. |
Why Muslim consolidation in favour of UDF unlikely in 2024 | 08/03/2024 | Kerala | This article discusses the Muslim community's collective aspiration in Kerala to bring the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance back into power. The Muslim community in India is apprehensive about the state of their religion, and this concern is increasing over time. |
Islam-centric approach crucial to cope modern challenges: Experts | 08/03/2024 | The News | This article examines the challenges of the modern world and the knowledge production of Islamic epistemological foundations. In South Asia, there continues to be a demand for cooperation from educators, policymakers, and communities in order to create an Islamic knowledge paradigm. |
Muslim women chart their future course in a manifesto | 08/03/2024 | Hindustan Times | This article examines how the Secular Young Muslim Women's Collective, a group of young Muslim women, published a manifesto with their demands ahead of the general elections. Their aim is to assert their identity as secular feminist young Muslim women who are visible and confident enough to voice their demands in India. |
Demolishing mosques to erase history or more | 07/03/2024 | Hard News | This article explores the demolition of mosques in India and the disputes being resolved in favour of the majority community, resulting in political and religious tensions throughout the country. |
Muslim coach removed by French football club over unproven claims he prayed in changing room | 07/03/2024 | Mediapart | This article discusses the conflict between religion and sports in France. A coach at an amateur club in the southwest part of France was accused of praying in the changing room before and after a crucial cup match. The coach was fired without any formal proceedings being conducted against him. |
Kerala Chief Minister decries 'weakening secularism' in India | 07/03/2024 | India Today | This article describes Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's expressed concerns about the experiences faced by minorities in India and the increasing attack on the nation's secularism. He condemned the use of religion for political purposes and expressed concern over the erosion of the separation between politics and religion. |
Court of Appeal rules Bill 21 constitutional, upholds Notwithstanding | 06/03/2024 | The Suburban | This article describes how the Quebec Court of Appeal's three-judge panel ruled that the secular law is valid and does not violate Canada's constitutional architecture or pre-Confederation statutes.However, citizens from minority groups remain concerned about the ruling. |
Pinarayi Vijayan seeks to project LDF-ruled Kerala as ‘an oasis of secularism’ | 06/03/2024 | The Hindu | This article describes how Kerala's Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, raises concerns over secularism, religious intolerance, sectarian violence and communal unrest. |
The Rich Tapestry of Muslim Life in India | 05/03/2024 | Rising Kashmir | This article highlights the need to promote religious representation and inclusivity concerning the Muslim community in India. India's constitution upholds secularism, ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all citizens irrespective of faith. Muslim communities are demanding to be viewed as more than minorities within the country. |
24 European countries have Christianity as a state religion or preferred religion! | 05/03/2024 | Hindu Post | This article focuses on the influence of secularism and religion on a global scale. A recent study by the Pew Research Center discovered that over 80 countries still endorse religion. Islam and Christianity are two of the most endorsed religions, often resulting in state-provided resources. |
Secularism in the State, a delicate balance | 05/03/2024 | Actual News Magazine | This article describes the recent judgment by the Quebec Court of Appeal as a significant win for the Quebec government regarding Bill 21 and the secularism of the State. However, the extent to which this law respects the charters remains unanswered due to the powers of derogation provided by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Charter of Rights and Personal Freedoms of Quebec. |
Seattle Ranks As The Least-Religious Large Metro Area In The U.S. | 04/03/2024 | The Seattle Medium | This article examines the decrease in religion throughout the United States of America. Americans have become less religious over the past few decades, with attendance at religious services dropping nationwide. Seattle is one of the places with a significantly lower religious population. Around 64% of adults in the Seattle area never attend church or religious services or go less than once a year. |
Christophe Jaffrelot on India's Spiral Into a 'De-Facto Deeper State' | 03/03/2024 | The Wire | This article presents French political scientist Christophe Jaffrelot's view on secularism in India, arguing that it has become ineffective due to the absence of multiculturalism. |
"Avoid performing religious rituals in court premises": SC Judge Abhay Oka to legal fraternity | 03/03/2024 | The Economic Times | This article explains how Justice Abhay Oka, a Supreme Court Judge, has advised the legal fraternity to avoid performing "Pooja" on the court premises during events. He suggests that individuals must inaugurate any event by bowing down before the copy of the Preamble to the Constitution to uphold secular values. |
Nagaland urges revocation of Assam Healing Bill, citing threat to secularism | 02/03/2024 | The Assam Tribune | This article explains how India's chief minister is calling for the revocation and abolishment of the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill in order to move towards a more secular India. |
Quebec Appeal Court Bill 21 ruling fuels debate on notwithstanding clause | 02/03/2024 | SaskToday | This article describes the debate over Quebec's use of the nothwithstanding clause after the Quebec Appeal Court upholds Bill 21, the secular law. |
Montreal's Muslim community ‘disappointed’ by Quebec court's decision to uphold Bill 21 | 02/03/2024 | Iqna | This article describes the sentiments of the Muslim community in Quebec over the Quebec court's decision to uphold Bill 21. Many Muslims have expressed their concerns regarding the Bill's impact. |
Quebec Appeal Court rules secularism law is constitutional, English schools rebuffed | 01/03/2024 | CTV News Montreal | This article explains how Quebec's Court of Appeal has ruled that the province's secularism law, also known as Bill 21, is constitutional. In a unanimous decision, the court declared that the law prohibiting public sector workers in positions of authority, such as teachers, judges, and police officers, from wearing religious symbols in their employment must be upheld. The court's unanimous decision means that the law must be upheld despite concerns from many minority groups about its constitutionality. |
Bill 21: Five things to know | 01/03/2024 | City News Montreal | This article describes how Quebec's secularism law, Bill 21, has faced numerous court challenges since it was adopted five years ago, with the Quebec Court of Appeal the latest to weigh in. The impact of secularism in Quebec continues to remain a growing concern. |
Minority groups worry Bill 21 ruling will lead to more discrimination in Quebec | 01/03/2024 | Global News | This article discusses how the province's court of appeal has upheld Quebec's secularism law, Bill 21, which prohibits public sector workers in positions of authority from wearing religious symbols on the job. Minority groups, including Montreal's Muslim and Sikh communities, are concerned that the decision will lead to further discrimination. Many think that the court failed to understand equality, intersectionality, and minority rights concerning Bill 21. |
Legault hails Bill 21 ruling as 'beautiful victory for Quebec nation' | 29/02/2024 | Montreal Gazette | This article discusses the Quebec Court of Appeal's decision, which is supported by the Mouvement laïque québécois. The English Montreal School Board is disappointed with the ruling that the law applies to its schools. The EMSB is uncertain about whether to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. |
Bill 21: Five things about Quebec’s contentious secularism law | 29/02/2024 | Global News | This article explores the controversy surrounding Bill 21 in Quebec, which the Quebec government has described as moderate. The legislation has been criticized for its impact on religious minorities and their ability to practice their faith while working in the public sector. |
Critics of Quebec’s Bill 21 anxious on eve of ruling from Court of Appeal | 28/02/2024 | City News | This article analyzes the critics of Quebec's secular law, Bill 21, and the opinions awaiting the Quebec Court of Appeal ruling. Several critics are questioning its constitutionality and asserting that Bill 21 has affected their rights as citizens in Quebec. |
Ram Swarup’s Skewering of the Myth of the Liberal Muslim | 28/02/2024 | The Dharma Dispatch | This article features an essay by Ram Swarup, a prominent philosopher, in which he challenges the concept of a Liberal Muslim in the context of the increasing emphasis on Indian secularism. |
In Tiberias, Haredi locals cheer for defeat of their secularist nemesis’s comeback bid | 27/02/2024 | The Times of Israel | This article discusses the tension in Israel surrounding the secular and religious divisions following the passing of former mayor Ron Kobi in Tiberias. |
Vast majority of Iranians want a secular government, poll reveals | 26/02/2024 | The Telegraph | This article examines how the majority of Iranians are advocating for a secular government in light of the recent mandates on mandatory hijab in Iran. |
Iran: Republic of God in an Increasingly Secular Society | 26/02/2024 | AGSIW | This article examines the growing impact of the Islamic Republic of Iran, despite ongoing resistance from citizens who seek to maintain the separation between religion and state, and uphold secular values. |
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