12 Issues and Stories that Captured the American Muslim Communities in 2016

A variety of news stories and issues held our attention in April, but it was secular France’s global positioning on modest Muslim dressing that made some big headlines. In this article by Saideh Jamshidi, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls stirred up controversy when he pledged to support a bill that favors a ban against wearing headscarves at universities. Before him, the women’s rights minister, Laurence Rossingnol, criticized Western brands, including Marks and Spencer, as promoting “the confinement of women’s body” in referring to their new full-cover burkini swimsuit. And, just before that, Pierre Bergé, cofounder of YVL, condemned Western fashion designers, including Dolce Gabbana and Uniqlo for creating dresses for Muslim women. This was all before the burkini ban explosion that was to come in the summer.

Next: May and the Distractions of Islamophobia