Basque Country: Debate over mosque law

Basque Country: Debate over mosque law

Via Gatestone Institute:

The Basque regional government in northern Spain is drafting a controversial new Law on Religious Institutions, which states that mosques and prayer rooms with a capacity of fewer than 300 people will no longer require the prior local government approval.

The draft law is generating considerable opposition from elected officials of all political stripes, who fear the new measure will encourage the proliferation of mosques throughout the Basque region.

The mayor of the Basque capital Vitoria-Gasteiz, Javier Maroto, said in an interview that the practical effect of the new law will be that "any fruit and vegetable shop can be converted into a mosque and there will be nothing we can do about it." He has promised to fight the new law, which he believes will encourage "mosques to spring up like mushrooms."

(source)

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Immigrants in Spain feel more integrated than those in Northern Europe

Immigrants in Spain feel more integrated than those in Northern Europe

Via ThinkSpain:

According to the latest survey of immigrants carriedou by the King Balduino Foundation and the Migration Policy Group, legal immigrants in Spain feel more integrated than those in Northern Europe thanks to the ease with which they can handle bureaucratic matters, like requesting residence permits or family reunification; find work and learn the language.

(source)

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Spain scraps health benefits for illegal immigrants

Spain scraps health benefits for illegal immigrants

Via AFP:

Spain takes pride in its universal health care but Europe's debt crisis has spurred tough budget cuts that will bring sometimes life-saving treatment for illegal immigrants to an abrupt end.

(...)

Among illegal immigrants, only children, pregnant women and emergency cases will qualify for free treatment.

"This will only put Spain on a par with other European Union countries," according to Health Minister Ana Mato.

The measure will leave half a million illegal immigrants who have been counting on Spain's health coverage with no safety net, and several organisations have been sounding alarm bells.


(source)

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Spain: Real Madrid removes cross from UAE partnership logo

Spain: Real Madrid removes cross from UAE partnership logo

left: Real Madrid logo, right: new logo of the Real Madrid
resort island in the United Arab Emirates

Via Gatestone Institute:

The top-ranked football team in Spain, Real Madrid, has removed a Christian cross from its official logo as a way to strengthen its fan base among Muslims in Europe and the Middle East.

According to Spain's top sports newspaper, Marca, the change was made to "avoid any form of confusion or misinterpretation in a region where the majority of the population is Muslim."

Real Madrid says its decision to remove the cross from its logo (see image here) is simply a cost of doing business in a globalized world. But critics say the move represents yet another erosion of European culture and tradition in the face of encroaching Islam.

(source)

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Jihad News

Jihad News

I usually post these in the 'in other news' feed, but there were so many items of interest over the past few days I thought they deserved their own post.

Update: Abdelkader Merah is the brother of terrorist Mohamed Merah (Thanks M.)



France
* Abdelkader Merah, father of terrorist Mohamed Merah was investigated by the Belgian police in 2007-2008 for recruiting Jihadists, as part of a larger investigation into a Belgian Jihadist cell. However, there was insufficient evidence to press charges.

* Investigators believe an accomplice sent Merah's terror music clip to al-Jazeera. Al-Jazeera decided not to air the clip. Police are also looking for a possible accomplice in helping Merah with his scooter.

* Russia Today speculates that Merah might have been an informant of French intelligence. [Grain of salt: RT love conspiracy theories]

* A Franco-Algerian nuclear scientist is on trial for allegedly plotting terror attacks in France


Norway

In a video clip posted online, Mulla Krekar threatens Norway with suicide attacks and kidnappings. Once Norway will become an Islamic state, Muslims will be able to avenge the wrongs done to him, he says, just like the Jews did.

The Norwegian Security Service PST reports it is following about a hundred extreme Muslims in Norway.


Germany

* A 20 year old was jailed for distributing Internet 'Islamist propaganda'.

* Germany is currently monitoring 130 individuals seen as 'Islamist threats' capable of turning violent at any time


Spain

Al-Qaeda's 'librarian' was arrested in Valencia this week. He was a key player in the organization's propaganda and recruitment efforts.


Italy

The European Court of Human Rights ordered Italy to pay compensation to Mohamed Mannai. Mannai had been deported to Tunisia in 2010 after serving jail time for terror charges. Maani was linked to Ansar al-Islam, Krekar's terror group.

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Spain: Jihadists "Liberating" Spain for Islam

Spain: Jihadists "Liberating" Spain for Islam

Via Stonegate Institute:

Nine Islamists accused of planning terrorist attacks aimed at "liberating" Spain for Islam are standing trial in Madrid.

Spanish public prosecutors say the men -- Salafi-Jihadists who belonged to an Islamist cell known as the "Army of the Messiah" (Ansar al-Mahdi) -- sought to "free" the cities of Ceuta and Melilla, two Spanish enclaves in northern Africa, from Spanish rule and thus begin the Islamic re-conquest of Spain.

(source)

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Catalonia: Imam detained for preaching violence against "errant" wives

Catalonia: Imam detained for preaching violence against "errant" wives

Via ThinkSpain:

An imam in the Catalan city of Terrassa has been arrested for calling upon his followers to "discipline errant women" in their community who do not follow their husband’s orders or strict Islamic law.

In his sermons, the imam, Abdeslam Laaroussi, a Moroccan, would allegedly offer examples on how to beat women and isolate them, and discourage men from having sexual relations with them.

According to police, Laaroussi told his followers that it was best to punch women or use a stick on different parts of their bodies "without breaking their bones or making them bleed".

(source)

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