From Britain to Greece, and Spain to Slovenia, Muslim immigration and the accompanying rise of Islam are transforming the European way of life in ways unimaginable only a few years ago. What follows is a brief survey of 20 noteworthy stories involving Islam in Europe during just the month of September 2013.
Construction crews in Copenhagen have raised Denmark’s first minaret—the finishing touch on a colossal project to build the biggest mega-mosque in Scandinavia.
One of the largest hospitals in Denmark has admitted to serving only halal beef — meat that is slaughtered in accordance with strict Islamic guidelines — to all of its patients regardless of whether or not they are Muslim.
More than 1,000 Muslims from across Europe are currently active as Islamic jihadists, or holy warriors, in Syria, which has replaced Afghanistan, Pakistan and Somalia as the main destination for militant Islamists seeking to obtain immediate combat experience with little or no official scrutiny.
Lars Hedegaard, a well-known free speech activist and critic of Islam, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt outside his home in Copenhagen.Hedegaard has been at the vanguard of a decade-long effort to fight back against restrictions to free speech in Europe, especially speech that is critical of Islam.
The Dutch parliament has approved a motion to revoke a law that makes insulting God a crime. Free speech activists say the move represents a significant victory at a time when Muslim groups are stepping up pressure on European governments to criminalize the criticism of Islam and/or Mohammed.
Muslim immigrants in a town near Copenhagen have forced the cancellation of traditional Christmas displays this year even while spending lavishly on the Islamic Eid celebration marking the end of Ramadan.
