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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.

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
Legault leaves behind major bills still facing constitutional challenges
19/01/2026
CTV News
Quebec Premier François Legault announced his resignation after dedicating his leadership to the province. His departure highlights recent efforts to strengthen secularism with Bill 9, An Act respecting the reinforcement of laicity in Québec, in light of ongoing opposition and constitutional challenges to the province's secular laws.
Rights Groups in France Raise Concerns Over Increased Monitoring of Muslim Communities
18/01/2026
Shia Waves
This article examines rights groups and their influence in France.
Religion as geopolitics: how Morocco is shaping security from Africa to Europe
17/01/2026
The Insight International
This article examines how Morocco is using religion in order to shape its security and diplomatic tools.
Benedictine nuns of Montmartre spent 40 years 'under duress,' report finds
16/01/2026
Le Monde
This article examines how Benedictine nuns of Montmarte faced significant duress, humilitation and bullying. The atmosphere of suspicion was reinforced after the removal of the statue of Saint Martin in Tours, France.
The DJ Priest in Lebanon: “The Enlightenment Controversy”
16/01/2026
Daraj
This article highlights the debate overlooking the priest in Lebanon and his involvement in cultural secularization.
French mother superior bullied nuns in Montmartre
15/01/2026
The Local
This article examines the recent allegations of a mother superior's bullying of nuns in her care in Montmartre.
French parliamentary committee blocks bill banning headscarves for minors
15/01/2026
Anadolu Ajansi
A French parliamentary committee has rejected a bill proposed by the conservative Republican Party that aimed to ban minors from wearing headscarves in public. The debate on the bill took place in the National Assembly on January 22. Supporters of the bill argue that it highlights issues of gender inequality, with some advocating for a partial ban that would specifically apply to girls under the age of 15.
Quebec premier François Legault resigns from post in surprise move
14/01/2026
The Guardian
This article examines the impact of Quebec premier François Legault resignation.
French Parliament to Discuss a Draft Prohibiting the Wearing of Hijab for Minors in Public Spaces
14/01/2026
Echorouk
This article examines how the French Parliament is planning to implement the prohibition of wearing the hijab for minors in public spaces.
Despite criticism, DJ priest hits a high note with some Lebanese
13/01/2026
WKZO
This article highlights the debate over Lebanon's priest leading raves and the influence of secularism.
Priest by day, DJ by night: Padre Guilherme's rave in Beirut draws cheers and controversy
12/01/2026
Pique
This article examines the controversy over priest Padre Guilherme's rave and his combination of electronic music with Christian religious symbols.
Respect and civility at the core of new Quebec school rules
11/01/2026
Montreal City News
This article examines the new secular mandates across Quebec classrooms.
Morocco's religious strategy boosts its international influence, think tank says
09/01/2026
Yabiladi
This article explains how Morocco's religious strategy will influences its international influence and religious reforms.
As fear for French grows, support for English schools erodes among francophones
09/01/2026
Montreal Gazette
This article examines how the support for English schools continues to erode in Quebec in light of bill 9.
Montreal Jews join a diverse coalition to protest Iranian regime’s repression and violence
09/01/2026
The Canadian Jewish News
This article represents how Montreal's Jewish community is standing with Iranians to fight repression and religious influence.
Faith as Statecraft: How Morocco Turned Religion into Strategic Power
08/01/2026
Morocco World News
This article examines how the Institute for Strategic Dialogue plans to advance religion into a core pillar of statecraft.
Two Moroccans in Ceuta Register Spanish ‘Justice and Development’ Party
08/01/2026
Morocco World News
This article highlights how existing political parties in Morocco are advancing secular and religious agendas.
Religion, music, and controversy: Padre Guilherme’s concert divides opinion in Lebanon
07/01/2026
LBC Lebanon
This article highlights the divided opinion over secularism and religion in Lebanon.
Legault government bills: let him hold an election on them, says CSQ
06/01/2026
Montreal City News
This article examines the challenges of the Legault government's new bills to advance secular values.
Melançon: Will 2026 mark the end the Legault era?
05/01/2026
Montreal Gazette
This article examines the challenges faced by the Legault government and the influence of secularism.
Madame, vous: Formal language now mandatory in Quebec schools when speaking to teachers, staff
05/01/2026
CBC News
This article examines the formal language mandatory in Quebec schools as a step in advancing secularism.
Hezbollah still dominant among Lebanon's Shiite, but ground is shifting
04/01/2026
Al-Monitor
This article examines the emerging Lebanon Shiite community and religious influence.
Resilient Neighborhoods: Senegalese immigrants find community of support in west Detroit
03/01/2026
The Arab American News
This article highlights the influence of religion for Senegalese immigrants.
Christian charities see spike in revocations for serious violations in 2025
02/01/2026
Business in Vancouver
This article examines how Christian organizations and charities have seen a spike in revocations and calls for secularism.
Quebec's proposed constitution: A sword turned inward: Conceived with an eye to the next election, Fran ois Legault's Bill 1 will do little to protect Quebec's autonomy
01/01/2026
Inroads
This article examines the challenges with Bill 1 and Bill 9 and its impact on Quebec citizens.
Artisans of unity and peace. Leo XIV in Turkey and Lebanon
01/01/2026
Omnes
This article highlights how Pope Leo XIV calls for unity and peace in Lebanon and the overcoming of religious polarization.
Pope opens 2026 with plea for peace in countries bloodied by war, families wounded by violence
01/01/2026
Canadian Press
This article examines how Pope Leo encourages peace in countries and notes church's World Day of Peace.
Alberta, Quebec referendums likely would fail due to Canadians’ anxiety: pollster
31/12/2025
CTV News
This article examines the anxieties over the Quebec referendum and strengthening of secular laws.
Ahmadiyya In Senegal Holds 13th Annual Jalsa Salana
30/12/2025
The Voice
This article examines how Senegal held the 13th annual jalsa salana despite the increasing rise of secularism in the country.
Quebec Introduces Bill To Ban Prayer Rooms On College Campuses
29/12/2025
Muslim Matters
This article describe how the Legault government introduced a new bill to ban prayer rooms in schools and universities.
Discipleship draws people to God in Lebanon
29/12/2025
Mission Network News
This article examines the growing Islamic and Christian faith across Lebanon.
What Quebec’s political parties should resolve to fix in 2026
28/12/2025
CTV News
This article examines the challenges faced Quebec's political parties in light of secular initiatives.
Christian communities grow slowly as share of population falls in Middle East, North Africa
27/12/2025
The Jerusalem Post
This article examines the growing influence of Christianity in Senegal and across North Africa.
New initiatives helping level the playing field for hijabi players in Edmonton sports
27/12/2025
CBC News
This article examines new initiatives supporting girls who wear the Islamic headscarf in Edmonton sports.
Algerian parliament declares French colonial rule a crime, seeks reparations
26/12/2025
The Cradle
This article discusses how the Algerian parliament recognizes French colonization as a state crime and identifies it as a significant factor contributing to tensions between national sovereignty and religion.
Why more young people are turning to religion
25/12/2025
Le Monde
This article examines the resurgence of religious commitment among young individuals across France.
In his first Christmas as pope, Leo XIV denounces a 'distorted economy'
25/12/2025
Le Monde
This article examines the balance between secular values and religion advanced by Pope Leo XIV.
From Christian to Majority-Muslim: Lebanon’s Cautionary Tale for Europe
24/12/2025
The European Conservative
This article explains the decrease of Christian faith in Lebanon.
Legault government’s new ‘religious’ legislation may shutter some independent schools
23/12/2025
Fraser Institute
This article examines the new restrictions on religious legislation in independent schools across Quebec.
Vox calls for a ban on the use of the burqa in the Canary Islands "as it does not correspond to Spanish culture"
22/12/2025
La Voz
This article examines the growing political mandates in favour of advancing secularism and the rule of law.
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