Serbia: Soccer player banned from national team over anthem

Serbia: Soccer player banned from national team over anthem

Via RFE/RL:

Serbia's football federation says new national team coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has kicked player Adem Ljajic off the team for refusing to sing Serbia's national anthem.

Ljajic, a member of Serbia's Muslim minority, refused to sing ahead of the May 26 friendly with Spain, which Serbia lost 2-0.

Ljajic, who plays for Italian club Fiorentina, said he would not sing the anthem in the future because of "personal reasons."

(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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Switzerland: Federal Court rules segregated swimming not a religious freedom right

Switzerland: Federal Court rules segregated swimming not a religious freedom right

Via the Local:

(...)

The parents argued that, in accordance with the teachings of the Koran, they wanted to instil a sense of shame in their children before they reached puberty. Mixed swimming lessons in primary school, the family claimed, would be incompatible with such an aim.

Following the family’s appeal of the original Administrative Court verdict, the Federal Court decided to uphold the fine. The court stated that the obligation to participate in mixed swimming classes did not represent a significant assault on the family’s religious freedom.

(source)

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Surrey: Islamic archery revived in mosque

Surrey: Islamic archery revived in mosque



Via the BBC:

The ancient sport of horseback archery is being revived at a mosque in Surrey.

As an activity recommended by the Prophet Muhammad in the Koran, instructors say it is an attractive sport for young Muslims.

Archery classes are being held weekly at the Woking's Shah Jahan Mosque, with riding classes at local stables.

(source)

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