Hesinki: First Mosque for Shia Muslims Opens in Finland

Hesinki: First Mosque for Shia Muslims Opens in Finland

Via ABNA:

The first mosque and cultural center for Finland’s Shi’ites was inaugurated in the capital Helsinki earlier this week.

Managers of Islamic centers from Sweden, Denmark and Norway, Muslim scholars including Hojat-ol-Islams Hakim Elahi, Khademi, and Razavi, Iranian ambassador to Finland Seyyed Rasoul Mousavi, head of Finnish prime minister’s office, and a number of cultural, religious and social personalities attended the inauguration ceremony of the center, which is named after Hazrat Fatemeh Zahra (SA). 

(source)

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Finland: Attitudes towards immigrants soften

Finland: Attitudes towards immigrants soften


Via YLE:

A new think tank report suggests that Finnish attitudes towards immigrants have become a little more open in recent years, after a spike in negative viewpoints at the end of the last decade.

The EVA pro-market think tank found in their latest survey that although attitudes have eased, Finns are still more likely to have a negative than receptive attitude towards immigrants.

 (...)

Nearly half of all Finns consider immigration to be a culturally enriching phenomenon. On the other hand, every other Finn believes that a tentative stance towards foreigners is "wise caution" rather than racism.(source)

(source)

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Helsinki: Internet police monitor online rape case discussion

Helsinki: Internet police monitor online rape case discussion

Via YLE:

Helsinki’s local internet police team is keeping a close eye on an online discussion concerning a rape case in which two teens with immigrant backgrounds were convicted.

The team says it has also been contacted regarding inappropriate comments in the virtual debate.

The heated online discussion was sparked by a judgment handed down in the Helsinki district last week, in which two teens of foreign background were convicted of the rape of a Helsinki school girl. The court judgment was also circulated online, and included the names of the convicted teens and their relatives. 

(source)

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Helsinki: Hospitals don't facilitate Muslim burial

Helsinki: Hospitals don't facilitate Muslim burial

Via YLE:

Muslims in the capital region must forgo their traditions for death as some elements of the Muslim burial ceremony are not possible in hospitals.

According to Muslim custom, the body must be washed immediately prior to the funeral, and if not possible: on the night before.  The body is then wrapped in two clean pices of cloth and placed in a coffin.  There are currently no facilities for such a procedure in Helsinki hospitals, and so often the family washes the body at home.

Marketta Kupiainen, Chief Administrative Nurse at the Helsinki Health Center, says that it's not impossible to find a place for Muslims, but that currently there are no places which could work well logistically, as it requires a place with running water, drainage and a separate door.

Pia Jardi, president of the Muslim Council, says that it's difficult to understand why there's no space available.  "The washing of a dead body can be compared with the Christian blessing of the dead.  It's important, not just for the well-being of the relatives, but for all of the Muslim community in Helsinki."

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Finland: Higher threshold for some family reunification

Finland: Higher threshold for some family reunification

Via YLE:

Regulations governing the reunification of some families may be tightened. A report by the Interior Ministry says it is possible that in future, people resident on the grounds of humanitarian protection may have to prove sufficient income to support their families before being joined by spouses and children.

(source)

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Finland: Afghan-born doctor is Refugee Woman of the Year

Finland: Afghan-born doctor is Refugee Woman of the Year




Via YLE:

The Finnish Refugee Council has voted an Afghan-born doctor and mother of five as the Refugee Woman of the Year 2012.

Currently resident in Seinäjoki in western Finland, Rahim fled to Finland to escape the Taliban in her native homeland, worked in a refugee camp and now works as a gynecologist in Finland.

In making its choice this year, the Finnish Refugee Council focused on the spirit of enterprise. In spite of many difficulties, the 46-year old Malalai Rahim pushed forward to practice medicine in Finland. She is an outstanding example of how adult refugees can learn the Finnish language and integrate in a new country, according to the Council.

(source)

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Finland: Finns Party proposes circumcision ban

Finland: Finns Party proposes circumcision ban

Via YLE:

Finns Party MP Vesa-Matti Saarakkala is calling for the criminalisation of male circumcision in Finland. In a formal inquiry to the government, Saarakkala says expanding the circumcision ban on girls to include boys is an issue of fundamental rights.

(source)

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Finland: Moroccan crowned Miss Finland 2012

Finland: Moroccan crowned Miss Finland 2012

On Sunday, January 29, 2012, the Moroccan Sara Chafak was crowned as Miss Finland 2012 (Miss Suomi 2012) in a ceremony that was held at the Vanajanlinna Castle, Hameenlinna in southern Finland. Sara will represent Finland in Miss Universe 2012 later this year in September/October. (source) (photo)

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Finland: Spying on refugees on the increase

Finland: Spying on refugees on the increase

Via YLE:

Spying on foreigners residing in Finland has increased, according to the annual report of the Finnish Security Intelligence Service (SUPO). Such activity is not illegal as is the case in other Nordic countries.

Foreign intelligence services use spying techniques to keep citizens residing abroad in check. Dissidents and refugees face regular surveillance.

(source)

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Finland: Hundreds march for tolerance in Oulu

Finland: Hundreds march for tolerance in Oulu



Via YLE:

Fresh off last weekend's attack on two immigrants in Oulu, hundreds of people marched for tolerance in the city on Friday. The procession culminated with Imam Abdul Mannan presenting a plea for peace to mayor Matti Pennanen.

Last Saturday's deadly pizzeria shooting in the city left one Moroccan man dead and another seriously injured.

Demonstrators called on Oulu decision makers and police to promote tolerance in the community. They also want officials to step up efforts to make the city more secure for immigrants as well as the native Finnish population. A similar procession was held in Helsinki on Friday, moving from the Central Railway Station to the Parliament House.

(source)

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Finland: More immigrants among the homeless

Finland: More immigrants among the homeless

Via YLE:

The figures for immigrants without a place to live have also gone up, according to ARA. In 2011, homeless immigrants living alone numbered over 1,000 for the first time. They now account for 13 percent of all the homeless, whereas before this figure was 9 percent.

(source)

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Helsinki: Muxlim Shuts Down, Promotes Biography

Helsinki: Muxlim Shuts Down, Promotes Biography

Via Arctic Startup:

The Helsinki-based social network site aimed at the world's muslim community, Muxlim, has shut down and now points to DisruptionManifesto.com, a teaser page for founder Mohamed El-Fatatry's new biography authored by David Cord.

(source)

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