President Emmanuel Macron's government has imposed a ban on long dresses and tunics worn by school students in a deliberate move to exploit widespread Islamophobia, court far-right support and divert attention away from class conflict, writes John Mullen.
freedom of religion
While the church hierarchy enjoys access to influence the federal government on its Religious Freedom Bill, those wanting to stay democratic and secular, are left out in the cold. Suzanne JamesÌý°ù±ð±è´Ç°ù³Ù²õ.
On December 16, Victoria's highest court threw out a protracted legal bid by a group of Bendigo residents to stop a mosque being built.
Led by local woman Julie Hoskin, the group has battled against the mosque, which the City of Bendigo approved in June 2014 and which VCAT approved last August.