France
Pope Francis on ISIS, the Gospel, sex abuse, money and much more
By David Gibson — May 17, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) What do the tango, Islam and conscientious objection have in common? They are just three of the references in Francis' latest blockbuster interview.
French government battles intolerance with new public relations campaign
By Yonat Shimron — May 9, 2016
PARIS (RNS) The French government has rolled out a pair of hard-hitting messages against hate speech and discrimination in hiring. But reviews are mixed.
French official links Muslim women’s veil-wearing to slavery
By Reuters — March 31, 2016
An online petition claiming over 18,000 signers accused France's minister for women's rights of racism for the remarks.
Sharp spike in anti-Semitic incidents across France, new report finds
By Elizabeth Bryant — January 7, 2016
PARIS (RNS) The report cites a doubling of anti-Semitic incidents corresponding to a doubling in the number of French Jews who moved to Israel.
Paris police kill man with knife on Hebdo anniversary
By Doug Stanglin — January 7, 2016
A police union official said the man cried out "Allahu Akbar," or "God is great" in Arabic.
New guide helps French Catholic-Muslim couples preparing to marry
By Tom Heneghan — December 10, 2015
PARIS (RNS) A day after Islamic extremists massacred 130 people in Paris last month, a Muslim-Catholic couple married in Lyon. Behind them was a loose network of Catholic and Muslim volunteer counselors who meet regularly to help young couples prepare for marriage problems most other French their age can hardly imagine.
In French elections, clashing visions of Muslim identity
By Elizabeth Bryant — December 4, 2015
PARIS (RNS) In this weekend's regional elections, the fledgling Union of French Muslim Democrats party seeks to counter a rising tide of Islamophobia and give France’s five million Muslims a greater political voice.
After attacks, Muslims in Paris fear being targeted anew
By Elizabeth Bryant — November 16, 2015
PARIS (RNS) Scattered anti-Muslim acts -- graffiti daubed on mosques, stones thrown at a kebab restaurant, “death to Muslims” scrawled on a wall of a Normandy town -- have already been reported since Friday’s attacks.
World religious leaders condemn Paris carnage
By Rosie Scammell — November 14, 2015
(RNS) Pope Francis raises the specter of a World War III “in pieces,” Muslims issue statements of condemnation, while evangelical Christians in America debate whether to speak of a “war with Islam.”
No Champagne – or state dinner – for Iranian president’s visit to France
By Tom Heneghan — November 13, 2015
(RNS) Islamic dietary rules clash with French culinary pride as President Hassan Rouhani's visit to Paris marks Iran’s return to the international community after its nuclear deal with the U.S. and other world powers.
French right-wing leader calls trial over Muslim remark ‘persecution’
By Reuters — October 21, 2015
At a rally in 2010, Marine Le Pen likened Nazi occupation during World War II to Muslim street prayers "because that is clearly an occupation of the territory."
France urges Saudi Arabia to cancel crucifixion of young Shiite
By Reuters — September 24, 2015
Ali al-Nimr was given the death penalty after taking part in demonstrations three years ago for democracy and equal rights in Saudi Arabia.
French residents greet Syrian refugees warmly, but many are wary
By Elizabeth Bryant — September 14, 2015
CERGY-PONTOISE, France (RNS) Busloads of refugees began arriving here, after the leftist government announced it would help out an overwhelmed Germany. They have received a warm welcome but questions loom.
‘Hands off my church’ petition plays on French worries about Islam
By Tom Heneghan — July 15, 2015
PARIS (RNS) A casual suggestion by a Muslim leader that unused French churches be turned into mosques has created a national outcry.
French rabbi hits the road to build Jewish-Muslim ties
By Elizabeth Bryant — July 2, 2015
(RNS) For the past decade, Michel Serfaty has toured France in a beat-up minibus plastered with slogans such as “Solidarity between Jews and Muslims” and “We’re more alike than you think.”
