Willingly or not, Europe’s top court has just opened the door to official, legal discrimination against Muslim citizens. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that companies on the continent could ban staff from wearing the hijab and other visible religious symbols – but only if the same rule was applied to other religious symbols as well. The ruling, therefore, does not apply only to Muslims or Muslim symbols.
Yet that disguises the context that this ruling came about because of two cases that involved Muslim women being fired for wearing headscarves. And it comes at a time when Islamophobia is rising across the West and becoming part of mainstream political discourse.
There are two problems with the ruling. It both discriminates against religious groups and will make it easier to discriminate against Muslims and other groups in the future.
The ruling discriminates not only against Muslims but against many other minorities too. Sikhs and Jews also wear visible religious symbols and both will be affected. Christians who choose to wear crosses will also be affected. It will also, of course, fall disproportionately on the shoulders of Muslim women.
Into the future, then, it will give companies a legal instrument to discriminate against Muslim women. Of course, many companies will decide not to create such a rule against religious symbols. But if they wished to, they could, and Muslim women would immediately find those companies closed to them. That amounts to clear discrimination, forcing Muslim women to choose between their deeply held religious beliefs and their careers.
Interestingly, this ruling also goes against a prior ruling by the European Court of Human Rights that found employees had a right to wear religious symbols, although that decision was over the wearing of a Christian cross, suggesting that Europe’s institutions are confused about which is a priority.
That will give succour to the far right, who are seeking to make Islamophobia part of the national conversation and who want to ban outright the hijab – not merely in companies, but everywhere in society. They will see this ruling as evidence that their backwards attitude is spreading across the European continent.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Brief scores:
Barcelona 3
Pique 38', Messi 51 (pen), Suarez 82'
Rayo Vallecano 1
De Tomas Gomez 24'
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
THE SPECS
Engine: Four-cylinder 2.5-litre
Transmission: Seven-speed auto
Power: 165hp
Torque: 241Nm
Price: Dh99,900 to Dh134,000
On sale: now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
The specs: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor
Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission 10-speed automatic
Power 421hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 678Nm @ 3,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.1L / 100km
Top financial tips for graduates
Araminta Robertson, of the Financially Mint blog, shares her financial advice for university leavers:
1. Build digital or technical skills: After graduation, people can find it extremely hard to find jobs. From programming to digital marketing, your early twenties are for building skills. Future employers will want people with tech skills.
2. Side hustle: At 16, I lived in a village and started teaching online, as well as doing work as a virtual assistant and marketer. There are six skills you can use online: translation; teaching; programming; digital marketing; design and writing. If you master two, you’ll always be able to make money.
3. Networking: Knowing how to make connections is extremely useful. Use LinkedIn to find people who have the job you want, connect and ask to meet for coffee. Ask how they did it and if they know anyone who can help you. I secured quite a few clients this way.
4. Pay yourself first: The minute you receive any income, put about 15 per cent aside into a savings account you won’t touch, to go towards your emergency fund or to start investing. I do 20 per cent. It helped me start saving immediately.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Opening day UAE Premiership fixtures, Friday, September 22:
- Dubai Sports City Eagles v Dubai Exiles
- Dubai Hurricanes v Abu Dhabi Saracens
- Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
Match info:
Portugal 1
Ronaldo (4')
Morocco 0
