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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Save secularism': IUML MPs protest in Parliament complex over Gyanvapi case | 01/02/2024 | The New Indian Express | This article describes the recent protest by Members of Parliament from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) in Parliament urging the government to protect secularism. The demonstration was in response to the Gyanvapi mosque case, where the Allahabad High Court ordered a survey of the site to determine if it was built on the remains of a Hindu temple. The IUML MPs argue that the case is part of a larger campaign to marginalize Muslims in India and requires action to safeguard Indian secular values. |
Montrealers protest language laws at downtown federal cabinet retreat | 31/01/2024 | The Suburban | This article discusses the ongoing tension between Quebec's English- and French-speaking communities regarding the implementation of the new language laws. The recent protest in Montreal over the language laws raised concerns over the potential infringements of minority language rights and the detrimental effects on the city's multiculturalism. Protestors are calling for the federal government to take action against this legislation. |
Kentucky House committee passes bill requiring moment of silence in schools | 31/01/2024 | Toronto City News | This article describes the recent bill passed in the Kentucky House requiring public schools in the state to set aside one to two minutes for a moment of silence at the beginning of each school day. The measure prohibits school personnel from instructing students on how to use the time and has raised concerns about pushing prayer into public schools. |
Bloc Québécois leader sends U.S. secretary of state letter defending French-language laws | 31/01/2024 | CBC | This article describes how Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet wrote a letter to the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, to explain Quebec's new language law. In the letter, Blanchet emphasized the relevance, importance, and legitimacy of Bill 96. He stated that Quebec must ensure the continued existence of the French language and its cultural expressions within the country. |
Mandir turns the spotlight on Constitutional secularism | 30/01/2024 | Hindustan Times | This article explores the concept of constitutional secularism in India and how it has become progressively challenging to define its societal influence. It highlights the similarities between India and the United States of America, describing how both countries practice passive secularism and significantly differentiate from France's assertive secularism. |
SAQ reminds employees not to greet customers with 'Bonjour-Hi' | 29/01/2024 | Montreal Gazette | This article discusses the controversy surrounding the absence of French greetings in workplaces across Quebec. French-language greetings have continued to decrease significantly over the years. Premier Legault is in favour of implementing a law that would mandate the use of French greetings. He has no plans to introduce any legislation prohibiting the use of other greetings. This raises questions of the French language law and how far it can become integrated within the secular state. |
Prayer has no place in Britain's schools | 28/01/2024 | The Sunday Times | This article discusses Camille Long's opinion on banning prayer in schools in light of the recent ban on Muslim students praying at Michaela School. Long highlights the importance of secularism and emphasizes that religion should be practiced in one's own time. |
School prayers bans don't make Britain a secular state | 27/01/2024 | Cap X | This article describes a British school planning to ban prayer rituals because the school cannot accommodate a prayer room and because of intimidation issues. This issue will be decided in court and has raised tensions between secular and Islamic communities. The outcome of the court's decision could have an impact on how religious accommodations are handled in education. |
Biden administration raises 'concerns' about aspects of Quebec language law | 27/01/2024 | Times Colonist | This article describes the concerns raised by the Biden administration regarding the proposed regulation around the language of commercial signage in Quebec. The provincial minister of the French language, Jean-François Roberge, argues that government intervention through the French language law is necessary to protect Quebec's vulnerability. |
Quebec needs an informed debate on immigration | 26/01/2024 | Montreal Gazette | This article discusses the Quebec government and political party, CAQ, and their stance on immigration and various societal issues. They contend that immigration has caused a decline in the French language, an increase in violence, and added pressure on Quebec's educational system. |
Being a Woman Against Compulsory Hijab in an Iranian Religious City | 25/01/2024 | Iran Wire | This article describes the shift of secularism in Iran with the Islamic regulation and implementation of the compulsory hijab. Despite the implementation of this law, there has been a significant increase in the number of violations as many women disagree with the regulations. |
France's constitutional court rejects several measures in controversial immigration law | 25/01/2024 | Montreal Gazette | This article explains France's constitutional court's decision to reject several measures in a controversial immigration law. The court explained how this legislation would undermine the rights of asylum seekers. This decision will potentially affect the influence of secularism on immigration in France. |
The Constitutional Council repealed the widely controversial immigration law | 25/01/2024 | World Nation News | This article describes the decision of France's Constitutional Council declaring the government's immigration law unconstitutional, censoring many parts of the project. The law had divided the French nation, with many opposing it. The decision has struck down the law, seemingly impacting secularism and the rights-promoting measures. |
Modi Rides Religious Wave in Bid to Clinch Third Term in Power | 24/01/2024 | BNN | This article discusses how the opening of the Ram temple in Ayodhya by Prime Minister Narendra Modi challenges India's secular tradition. Despite the concerns related to secularism, celebrations and public holidays persist across the country. |
Line between religion, State seems to be getting thinner and thinner: Pinarayi Vijayan | 23/01/2024 | Telegraph India | This article describes the concerns Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan raised about the departure from the tradition of separating religion and state with the new construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The Chief Minister believes that increased participation in religious events could adversely affect the state's secular mandate. |
Young Black men in Canada face racism, ageism and classism when looking for work | 22/01/2024 | The Conversation | This article examines the issues that arise from secular laws and how they affect Black people. Based on the author's findings, it was revealed that the secularism law in Quebec has negatively impacted young Black individuals. Many of these individuals have reported that they are no longer allowed to wear their religious clothing and continue to face discrimination in the workplace due to their religious values. This highlights the tension between race and secularism in Canadian society. |
I’m a practising Muslim and oppose secularism, says US-based academic after alleged mistreatment | 22/01/2024 | Daily Express | This article explains the viewpoints of Ahmet Kuru, a scholar based in the United States, on secularism and religion. Kuru discusses the challenges he faced in launching his book, which discusses the criticisms of French and Turkish secularism. He mentions that the Turkish authorities put immense political pressure on him and cancelled his book launch. These incidents highlight the strict political and religious agenda of Turkey. |
Katharine Birbalsingh and France’s own secularism battle | 21/01/2024 | The Spectator | This article highlights the tension between Islamic conservatism in education and the different approaches in Britain and France. Recently, the headteacher of a school in London, Katharine Birbalsingh, banned all forms of ritual prayer in London schools. This recent ban is indicative of the growing migration of secularism. |
School boards prepare for more battles with Legault | 21/01/2024 | Montreal Gazette | This article explains the continuing tension between the Quebec school boards and the CAQ government concerning the language law and its impact on the English-speaking community. The English school boards feel undermined by the government and argue that their rights have been disregarded. As a result, the English boards have decided to take the issue to court, particularly regarding the school service centres, religious symbols, and French language regulations. |
Ayodhya: Temple to open at India’s religious fault-line | 20/01/2024 | BBC India | This article describes the tension between Hinduism, Islam and secularism in India. Religious work continues to rise in India with the creation of the Ayodhya temple, replacing the previous mosque built on the land. This religious work conflicts with India's recent implementation of the secular constitution. |
We need to ban prayer in all schools, not just in Birbalsingh’s bastion | 20/01/2024 | The Times | This article discusses the increased vote to ban prayer in all schools throughout London. The author describes her strong opinions on preventing the integration of religion within elementary schools since it can impact children's learning and divert the focus on differences rather than unity and secularism. |
Sparks Fly Around French Education Minister | 19/01/2024 | The European Conservative | This article delves into the controversy surrounding the decision of the French Minister of Education, Sports, and Olympic Games, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, to enroll her children in a French Catholic school. Many critics have raised concerns regarding the minister's choice as it could potentially impact the French administration and its secular initiatives. |
Head teacher Katharine Birbalsingh must win against Islamic bullies | 19/01/2024 | The Times | This article clarifies the recent controversy surrounding the ban on prayer rituals in London academic institutions. The initiative aimed to promote secular values and foster unity among children of different faiths and ethnicities, but it has been met with opposition from the Muslim community. |
Erdogan picks nationalist to run for Ankara mayor | 18/01/2024 | France 24 | This article describes Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's initiatives to regain control over Turkey's main cities where secularism persists. He has appointed a nationalist former member to run for mayor of Ankara to undermine the secular opposition Republican People's Party in the upcoming elections. |
Breaking point': Quebec premier asks Trudeau to slow influx of asylum seekers | 18/01/2024 | CBC News | This article examines Premier Legault's request to reduce the number of asylum and refugee seekers in Quebec. His proposal is raised concerning the strain it imposes on organizations and the city's financial resources. The overall message represents how Quebec wants to maintain its borders and set its own immigration policy with increased secular movement in the province. |
India's journey from secularism to Shaktism | 18/01/2024 | Pakistan Today | This article discusses the movement in India from secularism to Shaktism. However, it also highlights the ongoing efforts towards secularism, such as the construction of a Ram temple at the site of Babri mosque in Ayodhya. |
Emmanuel Macron tacks right in search of 'Old France' | 17/01/2024 | Financial Times | This article examines the political tension regarding immigration in France. President Emmanuel Macron's recent efforts to promote secularism through new immigration policies, secular policies, and a ban on the abaya have left citizens wondering if he has shifted to a more conservative stance. |
Why do so many French Muslims now want to leave? | 17/01/2024 | The Article | This article examines the differing opinions of French Muslims regarding secular law and the impact of its regulation of religious symbols and, more recently, on the abaya and modest clothing. |
France bans foreign-funded Imams to combat Islamic radicalisation | 17/01/2024 | The Times of India | This article describes the recent ban on 300 foreign imams from France by French Interior Minister Darmanin in order to restrict foreign influence and funding. This initiative is an extension of President Macron's 2020 measures to combat radical and religious extremism. |
Call to reinvest in Quebec churches | 16/01/2024 | Actual News Magazine | This article discusses the importance of maintaining the heritage of Quebec churches despite the increased secularism trend. The lack of citizen engagement is discussed as a challenge to the influence of religion. |
Aligarh Muslim University: A Historical Beacon Amid Modern Challenges | 15/01/2024 | BNN | This article examines the minority institution, Aligarh Muslim University and its role amid the rising influence of secularism in India. The Ministry of Education has recently reduced the funds allocated to the Muslim University and has caused a legal battle over the university's minority status. |
Montreal and the regions: 'There are two Quebecs,' Bloc leader laments | 15/01/2024 | Montreal Gazette | This article describes the divide between Montreal and Quebec over culture, diversity and secularism. Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet is concerned over its differing values and progressiveness, which endangers the francophone language and its related aspects. |
Reforms in India's Muslim Community Still A Mirage | 15/01/2024 | News 18 | The article discusses the changes taking place in India regarding its Muslim community. It examines the integration of Hindu and Muslim aspects of religion while considering the tension between both groups. Reforms that aim to foster cultural engagement and advance secular values in society continue to be proposed. |
Growing popularity of non-religious ethics education in Finnish schools | 15/01/2024 | Helsinki Times | This article examines the secular trend in Finland regarding its educational system. Students increasingly choose non-religious ethics education in Finnish schools over traditional religious studies courses. The interest in secular ethics education reflects the influence of secularism and the social trends associated with religious affiliations. |
French will have to make up two-thirds of commercial signs | 14/01/2024 | The Suburban | The Quebec government has announced a new language of sign law that will come into effect on June 1, 2025. The law demands that French occupy two-thirds of a commercial sign, and English or another language can occupy the remaining third. The purpose of the law is to tighten the language law's rules in Quebec. |
‘Turkey and India bonded over secularism’ | 14/01/2024 | The Hindu | This article highlights the impact of Turkey’s secular republic on India’s Constitution. It explains how several Indian leaders drew inspiration from Turkey’s successful transformation from an Islamic Republic to a secular one and integrated Turkey’s secular values into India’s Constitution. |
Quebec tightening French-language requirements for storefronts, labels | 13/01/2024 | CBC | This article explains how Quebec's French charter continues to tighten French-language requirements. All Quebec business owners will be required to ensure that their products have French descriptions to uphold the province's language under these requirements. |
France's youngest prime minister is a rising political star who follows in Marcon's footsteps | 13/01/2024 | The Salem News | This article describes the appointment of Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and his influence on secularism in France. In order to maintain secular principles, the prime minister has previously announced the ban on long robes, primarily worn by Muslims, and he now plans to integrate uniforms into French public schools. |
Ram temple movemnt became symbol of reclaiming true meaning of secularism from pseudo-secularism | 13/01/2024 | The Economic Times | This article describes how the Ram Janmbhoomi movement's primary objective of constructing the Ram temple is a symbol of reclaiming secularism in India. |
New regulations will simplify existing sign rules for businesses, Roberge says | 12/01/2024 | The Montreal Gazette | This article explains how the Legault government is enacting dormant clauses affecting the language of sign rules for businesses through Bill 96. These new regulations, according to François Roberge, are meant to simplify matters for businesses while also upholding secular values and language laws. |
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