Amsterdam bans creation of new hotels
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
And once again, this sparks a fierce debate in society regarding the nature of the country’s secularism policy
Shortly before the start of the new school year, the French education ministry announced that it would prohibit the wearing of traditional Islamic abaya robes in public schools. The aim of the state is to continue enforcing the strict secularism policy (laïcité) that has been in place since the end of the 19th century.
Originally, that policy was meant to curb the millennial influence of the Catholic Church on French society. A big part of this was the ban on religious symbols in the schools, meant to be spaces of reason and equality. In recent decades, however, it has been somewhat unevenly updated in order to also include the influence of religion among the growing Muslim minority in the country.
To that end back in 2004, the French government outlawed headscarves in schools, and in 2010, it banned face coverings in public. The so-called ‘burqini’ style of swimwear has also been prohibited in swimming pools.
The ban on the abaya, a traditional robe worn by many Muslim women over other clothes, was quick to generate debate, however.
On one hand, the educational minister Gabriel Attal said, in an interview with TV channel TF1, that one shouldn’t be able to identify a pupil’s religion just by looking at them in a classroom. He was supported by both the liberal and conservative parties, albeit for different reasons.
Others, however, have argued that banning the abaya is moving straight into “fashion police” territory because the clothing item is a sign of tradition rather than a religious garment.
Less than a year ago, Attal's predecessor, Pap Ndiaye, decided against going further and specifically banning the abaya, telling the Senate that "the abaya is not easy to define, legally...”
Legislators and magnates have to await a preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice
The building will then serve as the site for a new museum dedicated to Finnish-Russian relations
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
In addition, the federal government has launched the National Week of Action against Bicycle Theft to raise awareness of the issue and the new solution
The facility will replace the need to have water supplied by tankers from Valencia
Modern traffic lights do more than regulate the flow of vehicles at crossroads, they also collect enormous amounts of data
Experimenting with public transport provision in Germany is clearly in a state of creative fervour
Legislators and magnates have to await a preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice
It also set the standards for a better European parking card for people with disabilities
The benefit will last until the Dutch parliament adopts the transgender law
Experimenting with public transport provision in Germany is clearly in a state of creative fervour
It also set the standards for a better European parking card for people with disabilities
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team