Two Stories from the New Europe

Germany has nearly a million more Muslims than assumed

Trier, Germany (ENI). Germany has a larger Muslim population than has been assumed up to now, a new study revealed. The study "Muslim Life in Germany", conducted by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees in Germany, concluded that up to 4.3 million people belong to the Muslim faith. That is nearly a million more than the 3.4 million Muslims assumed up to now. Therefore about five percent of Germany's 82 million people are Muslim.  [Reprinted with permission]

France to consider banning burqas after Sarkozy speech

Paris (ENI). Five years after France banned Muslim girls from wearing headscarves in public schools, the government has launched a probe into another Muslim garment -  all-covering burqas or niqabs - that may lead to a similar injunction in public spaces. In July, a 32-member parliamentary commission will begin a six-month investigation into the burqa in France - particularly whether it clashes with the country's fiercely secular creed and violates the dignity of the women who wear it, Religion News Service reports. [Reprinted with permission.]