STRASBOURG — A ban on face-veil would violate individual privacy rights and alienate Muslim women, the European rights chief has warned, urging politicians to promote understanding of different cultures. "A general ban on such attires would constitute an ill-advised invasion of individual privacy," Thomas Hammarberg, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, said in a statement. ... more.

BERLIN – The stereotypical media cliches about Islam, cultural identity, fundamentalism and honor killing are taking the central stage in this year’s Berlin International Film Festival. "It has taken nearly 10 years after 9/11, but these issues are finally going from the headlines into the cinemas," German director Burhan Qurbani told Reuters. "These are things we have to talk about." Q... more.

LONDON — A British venture capital firm plans to launch Europe's first halal industrial park, tapping an under-served market worth up to $6.27 billion a year. "If you look at some figures, the halal sector in the UK is worth between 2 to 4 billion pounds, the majority of that is imported," Mahesh Jayanarayan, chairman of Halal Industries, told the Reuters Islamic Banking and Finance Summit. ... more.

Ratzon convinced his women that he was the awaited Messiah and that he had godlike status. CAIRO – Branded as “Harem Messiah”, a self-styled Jewish sage has been arrested for a list of criminal charges, including enslavement, sexual abuse and rape, reported Haaretz Friday, January 15. “Goel Ratzon is accused of crimes which range from holding women in enslavement, rape, extortion,... more.

CAIRO - Islamic relief organizations rushed to send immediate aid to quake-hit Haiti, as rescue efforts continued amid expectations that the death toll would reach 100,000. "The earthquake is really devastating and especially unbearable for a country that has suffered so much deprivation," Hamid Azad, acting CEO of Muslim Aid, said in a statement on the group's website. "It is clear that ... more.

CAIRO — After banning hijab in public places, France’s ruling party is preparing to draft a bill to ban the face-veil across the southern European country. "The proposed measure would prohibit the covering of the face in public places and on the streets," Jean-François Cope, head of the Union of a Popular Movement (UMP) party’s parliamentary bloc, told Le Figaro in an interview. Under... more.

Muslims leaders will meet Minister Widmer-Schlumpf next week to discuss the fallout of the minaret ban. CAIRO – Despite a surprise vote to ban mosque minarets, Swiss Muslims believe talks with the government and outreach with the broader society hold the key for better future. "We have to retake control of the debate, reassure people and move forward," Hafid Ouardiri, General Secretary of ... more.

The Philippines ordered the evacuation on Monday of thousands of people living near the most active volcano in the country, warning of a possible eruption within a week. Mayon volcano, known for its near-perfect cone shape in the central Philippines, has been spewing lava and ashes that reached a height of about 100 meters (330 feet) on Monday, chief vulcanologist Renato Solidum said. ”The vo... more.