The 43-year-old was appointed on Wednesday by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) after Anette Trettebergstuen had to resign as a result of a breach of the integrity rules last Friday. One of the first things Lubna Jaffery must do is to answer the Progress Party in the Storting whether it is right to be able to refuse to shake hands in Norway. – I have come to know that there is a clip, but I have not seen the clip myself, says Culture and Equality Minister Lubna Jaffery. The new Minister of Culture and Gender Equality refers to the video from a diploma ceremony where a student did not want to shake the headmaster’s hand. An inflamed question Now Lubna Jaffery must answer the Storting in writing about the matter. The FRP, which has asked the question, expects an answer from the new minister within a reasonable time. The FRP reacts to the fact that the rector has not received more support from the Minister of Culture and the Education Agency after the incident. – Is it a fear of touch that makes the Minister for Equality not get involved in this and similar cases, or is it because the Minister believes that the uncultured with misogynistic attitudes in Norway is not a social problem, asks Silje Hjemdal (Frp). – I think shaking hands is a great way to show respect, but there are also many other ways to show respect, says Jaffery. On a general basis, should one greet each other in Norway? – It is an individual choice, replies Jaffery. You don’t want to ask everyone to shake hands? – No, it is not the Minister of Culture’s job to decide what people should do in their lives. SUPPORT: Listhaug supports the rector after her reaction, and expects the new Minister of Culture to do the same. Photo: NTB Listhaug believes the rector’s reaction after the handshake refusal was “completely appropriate”, and that Jaffery should have shown more support for the rector. – I want to congratulate her on her new job, but I think she got off to a bad start when it comes to equality. She should have been very clear that she supports the headmaster, who did a great job by putting his foot down. The Minister for Culture and Equality has no further comments on what Listhaug says. Had to apologize for the Rector’s immediate reaction after the incident last week has caused a lot of confusion. Affectionately, the headmaster addressed the parents in the hall and said: “Folks, we live in Norway, and we can’t be like that. Parents, we live in Norway. You must work with Norwegian women, otherwise you will not succeed in Norway”. The principal has subsequently had to apologize for this. – I apologize that my reaction was too strong and confrontational, says the principal to news. HANDSHAKE REFUSAL: The video of the student who did not want to shake the headmaster’s hand spread quickly on TikTok, and has now been viewed 785,000 times. Photo: Screenshot The headmaster is accused of racism after his statements, among other things. Wenche Natasja Savalov, primary school director at Oslo School, says that they are in dialogue with the principal about the incident, and that they stand behind her. – We believe it is not right to refer to the rector’s actions at the diploma ceremony as racist. As the principal herself has said, her reactions were too strong and confrontational, but they are not racist, says Savalov.
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The Minister for Culture and Equality comments on handshakes – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
