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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Le Bruit et l’Odeur: The Roots of the U.S.-France Divide Over Secularism | 05/10/2023 | World Politics Review | This article describes the divided opinions between the United States and France over the nature of secularism and its impact on minority groups such as Muslims. |
In France, schools’ ban on abayas sends powerful message about who ‘belongs’ in French culture | 05/10/2023 | South China Morning Post | This article describes the abaya ban and the message it reinforces within French culture. This piece analyzes the challenges faced by those impacted from the abaya ban. |
Quebec’s English-speaking racialized communities face higher unemployment rates, study says | 04/10/2023 | Global News | This article describes the difficulties encountered by English speaking Quebecers after the enactment of Bill 96. |
Religious leader of Anglican Church praises Azerbaijan's secular approach to religion | 03/10/2023 | Azer News | This article describes Azerbaijan's secular movement and secular approach to religion. |
The French government wants to ‘save’ Muslim women by controlling them | 02/10/2023 | Al Jazeera | This article describes the opposition against the French government secular decision to ban the abaya. |
Erdoğan pushes for charter change as parliament reopens | 01/10/2023 | Hürriyet Daily News | This article describes the new constitutional change being enacted in Turkey to reinstate religious authority. |
French Schools' Ban On Abayas And Headscarves Is Supposedly About Secularism − But It Sends A Powerful Message About Who 'Belongs' In French Culture | 01/10/2023 | The Conversation | This article examines the debate on the abaya ban in relation with religious freedom and secularism. |
IOC Allows Hijab in Olympic Village Amid French Controversy | 30/09/2023 | Morocco World News | This article describes the debate surrounding the hijab an in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee stated that athletes are free to wear hijabs during the game. |
Fearing religious takeover, activists see ‘secular awakening’ in Yom Kippur fray | 29/09/2023 | The Times of Israel | This article explains the secular movement in Israel during the Yom Kippur fray. The fear of religious takeover has reinforced a division between secularism and religion. |
‘Secularism is also to protect Hindus from their own orthodoxies’ | 28/09/2023 | The Hindu | This article explains the differing opinions of secularism being a protection for Hindus from orthodoxies. |
France BAN their athletes from wearing hijabs at the 2024 Paris Olympics as the country's sports minister says they will support 'strict secularism' during the Games | 26/09/2023 | Mail Online | This article describes the ban of hijabs at the 2024 Paris Olympics. |
France’s Council of States Says Abaya Ban is ‘Legal’ | 25/09/2023 | Morocco World News | This article describes the reaffirmation given by the France Council on the abaya ban. The Council stated that the ban was legal and rejects the idea that it violates a person's freedom of religion. |
US government agency condemns France abaya ban as tool to 'target' Muslims | 24/09/2023 | Alarabiya News | This article describes how the United States is condeming France's abaya ban to be encroaching on religious freedom. |
France’s Crackdown on Islamic Dress in Schools Is a Crude Attack on Muslims | 23/09/2023 | Jacobin | This article discusses the debate on the Islamic dress in French schools. The French government believes that the garment conflicts with France's secular values. |
France: Hijabi student files UN complaint after being expelled from school | 23/09/2023 | The Siasat Daily | This article discusses a complaint filed by a muslim hjiabi woman after bing expelled from school in France for wearing an abaya. |
Column from France: Of course, the abaya is a challenge to secularism | 22/09/2023 | CNE News | This article discusses how the abaya is considered to be a challenge to the principles of secularism. |
Quebec Liberals accuse CAQ of playing favourites when building, renovating schools | 22/09/2023 | CTV News | This article describes the tension between Quebec Liberals and the Coalition Avenir Quebec on the educational system. The secular values reinforced through Bill 96 continues to have increasing impact on Quebec's education system. |
Rabbis blast Tel Aviv mayor for ban on traditional Yom Kippur service | 21/09/2023 | Jewish News Syndicate | This article examines the debate on the ban of traditional Yom Kippur service in Tel Aviv. The ban was a result of secular values and prevented the gender-seperated tradition. |
Abaya ban violates secularism principle, lawyer asserts as France's top court hears appeal | 20/09/2023 | Anadolu Ajansi | This article examines the importance of religious garments for different groups and how it impacts the secular values in France. |
Abaya ban violates secularism principle, lawyer asserts as France's top court hears appeal | 20/09/2023 | Hungarian News Digest | This article describes the opinion on the secularism principle and how the abaya ban is considered to not be representative of this principle. |
It May Seem Like the Iran Protests Changed Nothing. People There See It Differently. | 19/09/2023 | Slate | This article describes how secularism is used as a means to reinforce religious freedom within society. |
Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi addresses social discrimination and secularism in stirring speech | 18/09/2023 | Times of India | This article discusses issues of social discrimination, religion and secularism highlighted by Tamil Nadu Governor RN Rani. |
Macron defends decision to attend Pope's mass in Marseille | 18/09/2023 | Radio France | This article describes the tension in France over Emmanuel Macron's plan to attend the mass celebrated by Pope Francis in Marseille. |
Muslim Students’ Robes Are Latest Fault Line for French Identity | 17/09/2023 | Indian Express | This article examines the opinions on French identity related to secularism and the abaya ban. |
A vote for secularism in Singapore | 17/09/2023 | The Straits Times | This article describes the increasing rise of secularism and secular principles in Singapore. |
75 Perspectives': Israel – from adolescence to adulthood | 16/09/2023 | Jerusalem Post | This article describes the differing values of secularism, religion, and democracy are increasingly prominent in Israel. |
What's in a name - The Indians will tell you all about it and many many are leaning towards being called 'Bharat' now | 16/09/2023 | The Star | This article describes the adoption of secular values with the practice of Hinduism. |
Debating Religion In The Constituent Assembly | 16/09/2023 | The Friday Times | This article describes the debates surrounding secularism and religion in Pakistan. |
Why is France so obsessed with controlling Muslim women's bodies? | 14/09/2023 | Middle East Eye | This article describes the differing opinions on regulating Muslim women's bodies within societies with the increasing bans on religious garments. |
Ban on Muslim Dress in Schools Stokes Culture War in France | 14/09/2023 | Mint | This article describes the increasing culture war in France with the divide on the abaya ban. |
Can I wear my hijab or headscarf when visiting France? | 13/09/2023 | The Local France | This article describes the different debates on the hijab in relation to the existing rules surrounding secularism. |
Iranian women grapple with the aftermath of Mahsa Amini's death | 13/09/2023 | France 24 | This article examines how there continues to be demonstrations against authorities in the Islamic Republic. The death of 22-year old Mahsa Amini in Iran has intensified the protests and discontentment towards religious garments such as the hijab. |
No distinction between students based on religion: France Education Minister | 12/09/2023 | Middle East Monitor | This article describes and reaffirms that there is no distinction between students based on religion. |
Back to work in Quebec City: the CAQ aims to pass major bills | 12/09/2023 | CTV News | This article examines the movement of passing multiple bills related to health and education bills by the Coalition Avenir Quebec. |
Legault calls on Quebec party leaders to boycott Facebook owner Meta | 12/09/2023 | CTV News | This article describes the intiatives taken by Premier Legault to promote solidarity, secularism and fairness by boycotting Facebook owner Meta. |
Cape Town Muslim authority body condemns abaya ban in France | 12/09/2023 | Cape Town ETC | This article explains how there is an increase in abaya bans throughout the globe. Cape Town Ulama Board is in accordance with the abaya ban instated in France. |
Education will be useless if it does not make a person secular, says Siddaramaiah | 11/09/2023 | The Hindu | This article describes how India is striving to make their educational system based on principles of secularism. |
France's attire ban sparks debate: Is it secularism or discrimination? | 11/09/2023 | IOL | This article examines the tension with the abaya ban in relation to secularism. Different opinions hold secularism and discrimination to be intertwined with each other. |
We need a truce in our wars over religion. Here's a glimmer of hope | 10/09/2023 | Washington Post | This article explains how social unity is increasingly rising within society. The conflict over religion and secularism is now being perceived in a different manner. |
Ahmadiyya Muslims speak out about challenges expressing faith in Quebec | 10/09/2023 | CTV News | This article describes the conflicting perspectives on secularism in Quebec. Ahmadiyya Muslims have expressed the challenges faced in society due to their religious faith. |
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