Extremists thrive in times of crisis: the COVID-19 pandemic is no exception
The pandemic crisis offers opportunities for extremist groups to attract those most hardly hit, but there are ways to prevent this.
Governing religion: beyond secularism? - #BeyondSecularism
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We live in what has been called ‘an age of pluralism’ and yet religious diversity remains a challenging issue for most societies.
Controversies around religious dress and buildings, urban riots, communal violence, and acts of terror have raised questions over the place of religion today. In European societies, responses have focused on secularism as a mode of governing religion and religious diversity. However, secularism is in itself contested, takes many forms, and depends on the overall institutional framework.
The articles in this series reflect on how states in Europe, the Maghreb, South and Southeast Asia as well as the Asia Pacific govern religious diversity and offer novel perspectives on the place and role of religion in the public sphere.
The content in GLOBAL EXTREMES is produced by the scholars and stakeholders in the GREASE and BRaVE research projects.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, under the GREASE project (grant no. 770640) and the BRaVE project (grant no. 822189).
The opinions expressed in these blog posts are the sole responsibility of the authors. The European Union is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information or opinions contained herein.
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Published in:Global ExtremesIs central Europe afraid of religious tolerance?
In the middle of Europe, there is a new sort of religious radicalization emerging – that of religion-haters or religiophobes.
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Published in:Global ExtremesGermany: Is banning far-right groups enough?
The case of far-right group Combat 18 has prompted a wider re-examination of far-right extremism and the utility of bans.
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Published in:Global ExtremesIn India: secularism or multiculturalism?
What can we make of the ‘return’ of secularism to the centre of political debate in India?
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Published in:Global ExtremesWhat is the ‘proper’ place of religion?
The reality of multiculturalism in Western Europe has reawakened debates around religion’s relation to politics and...
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Published in:Global ExtremesWhy Muslim-majority countries need secular citizenship and law-making
Islam is neither an instrument of identity politics, nor an ideology offering political solutions.
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Published in:Global ExtremesWhat will 2020 bring? Finding our way in a more polarised world
As 2020 and a new decade begins, why are we more polarised than ever before and can we do anything about it?
Is there a difference between a niqab and a face mask?
The prevalence of face masks to fight the COVID-19 pandemic might help spark a more constructive conversation on the niqab.
Shock and resilience: responding to recent cases of extremist violence
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Lethal attacks carried out in places of worship over the past months have reignited public debate about religious diversity, violent radicalisation and the role of modern states in responding to such events.
The responses of governments have varied significantly, both in terms of policy and the categorisation of perpetrators of such attacks. Different labels and legal categories such as ‘terrorism’, ‘mental health’ and ‘hate crimes’ have been employed to identify substantially similar acts.
Taking reactions to the New Zealand mosque shootings on 15 March 2019 as a point of departure, this series of articles provides a range of insightful reflections from diverse viewpoints on how religiously-inspired violent radicalisation is shaping our societies, and how our societies and governments can respond to it.
The content in GLOBAL EXTREMES is produced by the scholars and stakeholders in the GREASE and BRaVE research projects.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, under the GREASE project (grant no. 770640) and the BRaVE project (grant no. 822189).
The opinions expressed in these blog posts are the sole responsibility of the authors. The European Union is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information or opinions contained herein.
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Published in:Global ExtremesIn defense of secularism
Polarization based on a politics of religious identity seems to be the most dangerous for democracies.
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Published in:Global ExtremesWhy words matter: mainstreaming anti-Muslim discourse
It is no surprise that right wing extremists use similar language, it is however alarming that this language is...
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Published in:Global ExtremesNot all ‘extremisms’ are created equal: lessons from the Christchurch attack
Extreme far-right views have seeped into parts of the media and politics, normalised in parts of life that other...
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Published in:Global ExtremesThe answer to extremist violence is strong resilient communities
We do not need to keep minorities under surveillance or to create a climate of mistrust and prejudice.
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Published in:Global ExtremesTerrorism not in my name
How should one respond to terrorism carried out in one’s name?
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Published in:Global ExtremesTo face the rise of extremism we need words as much as actions
Religious and political responses to the Christchurch attack can tell us a great deal.
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Published in: Global ExtremesWhat is the fate of religion in Europe?
Can Europe’s traditional norms of secularism be applied to an extra-Christian religious diversity that the continent...
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Published in: Global ExtremesCoping with crisis: How much “resilience” is on display?
Covid-19 shows the idea people triumph alone over adversity is a myth – it takes the support and resources of a society.
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Published in: Global ExtremesResilience, radicalisation and democracy in the COVID-19 Pandemic
With lockdowns, an already alarming situation of vulnerability to political manipulation is at risk of becoming a...
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Published in: Global ExtremesWhat the ‘war on terror’ can teach us about the fight against COVID-19
‘Extremism’ must not be cast as an epidemic. But we can learn relevant lessons from the problems created in countering it.
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Published in: Global ExtremesFrance: is there such a thing as “Islamist separatism”?
What does it mean when the French president Emmanuel Macron warns of "Islamist separatism"?
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Published in: Global ExtremesIs Al-Azhar pushing the envelope?
Shaykh al-Azhar, Ahmed al-Tayyib criticised the state of Arabs and Muslims worldwide – including, one presumes, its rulers.
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Published in: Global ExtremesThe perils of mixing religion and politics: the case of Turkey
Mixing religion with politics does not even serve religious purposes.
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Published in: Global ExtremesRethinking secularism : Can Europe integrate its Muslims?
A new understanding of secularism represents Europe’s best chance for finding a way forward.
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Published in: Global ExtremesIslamophobia is Boris Johnson’s problem now
Labour Party’s abject failure to address anti-Semitism has garnered headlines, but hatred of Muslims is even more...
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Published in: Global ExtremesThe EU’s “Islamism” bias and its “added damage” in Central and Eastern Europe
On the absurdity of a Western European extremism prevention program which indirectly strengthens right-wing...
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Published in: Global ExtremesThe Prevent database: counter extremism is watching you
The Prevent databases are not concerning because they are a new revelation; they are concerning because they are not.
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Published in: Global ExtremesHow to build resilience to violent extremism
Given the terrible injustices endured by so many, why aren’t more turning to terrorism?
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Published in: Global ExtremesWhither Poland? After the 2019 parliamentary elections
The 2020 Presidential election will be the first indicator of how the Polish electorate is responding to the work of...
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Published in: Global ExtremesThe industry of preventing extremism – and the Radicalisation Awareness Network
Is the prevention industry part of the problem rather than of the solution?
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Published in: Global Extremes: OpinionDid the Hungarian local elections break polarisation and extremism?
Hungary’s recent elections mark a breakthrough: the paralysing myth of Fidesz’s invincibility has been shattered.
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