- Has Denmark Fallen to Islamism? Danish Parliament Bans Quran Burnings
Location: Denmark
Denmark's recent legislative move to ban Quran burnings has garnered attention in the wake of the widespread protests and security concerns stemming from previous incidents in Denmark and neighboring Sweden. The bill, passed on December 7th with 94 votes in favor, prohibits the public mistreatment of holy texts, including the Quran, with penalties ranging from fines to a maximum of two years in prison. The Danish Ministry of Justice stated that the aim is to counter the perceived "systematic mockery" contributing to an escalating terrorism threat. Notably, the bill had its critics, including Inger Stojberg, leader of the Denmark Democrats party, who expressed concern about the impact on freedom of speech. Stojberg's quote, “History will judge us harshly for this and with good reason. … What it all comes down to is whether a restriction on freedom of speech is determined by us or whether it is dictated from the outside,” highlights the debate around balancing freedom of expression and national security. Critics argue that such restrictions might undermine hard-won liberal freedoms, while Denmark's ruling centrist coalition maintains that the bill will have only a marginal impact on freedom of speech. Meanwhile, Sweden is exploring a different approach to address Quran burnings while safeguarding freedom of expression, considering the possibility of allowing the Swedish police to reject protest applications based on national security.
- US Muslim Leader Cheers Gaza Massacre: White House Slams CAIR
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/us-muslim-leader-cheers-gaza-massacre-white-house-slams-cair
Location: United States
In a recent controversial speech at the American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) convention, Nihad Awad, founder and executive director of the Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR), expressed his satisfaction with the events on October 7 in Gaza, where thousands of Hamas terrorists breached the enclave’s border with Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the taking of over 240 hostages. Awad's statement, “And yes, I was happy to see people breaking the siege and throwing down the shackles of their own land and walk free into their land, which they were not allowed to walk in,” refers to the blockade imposed on Gaza by Israel and Egypt since 2007 to prevent Hamas from importing weapons and materials for potential attacks. The White House condemned Awad's remarks as "shocking" and "antisemitic," with spokesperson Andrew Bates emphasizing the abhorrent nature of the terrorist attacks. Awad later clarified his comments, stating that he condemned violence against Israeli civilians but stood by the right of occupied people to defend themselves. CAIR has faced accusations of promoting antisemitism and alleged connections to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. The October 7 attack, one of the worst massacres in Israeli history, resulted in widespread civilian casualties and atrocities.
- Alarming Poll Reveals Rising H*l*caust Denial Among American Youth
Location: United States
Disturbing findings from a recent YouGov and Economist poll on December 7th reveal a concerning trend of rising Holocaust denial among American youth. The survey of 1,500 adults in the United States explored opinions on various topics, including discrimination against Jews, hate crimes, and antisemitism, with a focus on age demographics. Shockingly, 20% of respondents aged 18-29 believe the Holocaust is a myth, contrasting starkly with the 7% in the general population. Additionally, this younger age group showed higher agreement with antisemitic statements, such as believing Jews have too much power in America and expressing skepticism about Israel's existence. The survey indicates a need for increased education and awareness to combat the troubling rise of Holocaust denial and antisemitic sentiments among American youth.
- 6 Teens Convicted in Beheading of French Teacher Accused of Blasphemy
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/6-teens-convicted-beheading-french-teacher-accused-blasphemy
Location: France
In a landmark development, a French court has convicted six teenagers connected to the chilling 2020 beheading of Samuel Paty, a 47-year-old secondary school teacher. Paty, a history and geography teacher, was murdered and decapitated outside a Paris suburb school on October 16, 2020, by 18-year-old Abdoullakh Anzorov, a Chechen refugee. The heinous act was a response to Paty showing cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad during a class on free expression. The court's recent ruling, on December 8th, found five teenagers, aged 14 through 15 at the time of the attack, guilty of assisting Anzorov in identifying Paty. The sixth defendant was convicted of making false accusations related to a classroom debate that triggered outrage against the teacher. The teenagers, who could face prison sentences of up to two and a half years, maintained they were unaware of Anzorov's murderous intent. The trial, conducted behind closed doors to protect the identities of the minors, has reignited discussions in France on topics such as Islamic extremism, anti-Muslim discrimination, and freedom of expression. This verdict follows recent school attacks in France, prompting renewed concerns about the safety of educators.
- The Islamic Republic Hates Joy: Iranians Fight Back with Dancing
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/islamic-republic-hates-joy-iranians-fight-back-dancing
Location: Iran
In defiance of the Islamic Republic's oppressive crackdown on dissent and joy, Iranians are using singing and dancing as a form of protest. The movement gained momentum after the arrest of Sadegh Bagheri, a fishmonger in his sixties, who became an Instagram sensation for singing and dancing in Rasht's bazaar. The Iranian authorities not only imprisoned Bagheri but also targeted Instagram influencers who shared his videos, shutting down their accounts. In response, Iranians flooded social media with videos of themselves dancing in parks and streets, expressing solidarity with Bagheri. The deputy police commander claimed the videos violated public morals, leading to shop closures. Many Iranians highlight the authorities' hypocrisy, questioning the focus on dance while neglecting other sexual scandals within their own morality-enforcement officials. A commentary in a reformist newspaper suggests a coordinated effort to exert control and dictate societal norms through the suppression of ordinary Iranians. The dancing protest underscores the resilience of Iranians against the constraints imposed by the theocratic government.
