Faizah Gilani
The current climate within France right now is incredibly tense. Recent incidents have not only heightened tensions between French authorities and the country’s Muslim population, but the Muslim world is also infuriated by the French President Emmanuel Macron, following his controversial comments.
Tension has been brewing ever since the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo announced the republication of caricatures of Prophet Muhammad. This was deemed offensive not only by French Muslims, but Muslims all over the world. Visual depiction of the Prophet is forbidden in Islam, but the cartoons have been regarded as Islamophobic. They are seen as linking the Islamic faith to terrorism.
The cartoons were also shared by a French teacher who showed them to his class. He was later killed on October the 16th. Since then, President Macron has stood behind the publication and sharing of the cartoons, citing freedom of speech as the reason for this.
But his stance and controversial comments have not gone down well with several Muslim leaders across the world, including Turkey’s Recap Tayyip Erdogan, who not only supported calls for a boycott of French goods, but also said that Macron is in need of “a mental check.” There have also been protests against the caricatures in various parts of the world such as Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh, as well as other countries.
But a recent attack in the French city of Nice where three people were killed at a Church led to Macron declaring France as “under attack.” European friends have rallied around Macron and lent their support towards the country, but support has also come from an ally much further than Europe – India.
Sadly, extremists targeting innocent people is not only an act of cowardice, but they are also cashing in on the turmoil within France right now, making life more difficult for the French Muslim population already facing systematic Islamophobia.
Hostilitiy towards French Muslims is nothing new and well before tensions over the caricatures. To see this simply as free speech vs religious sentiment would be simplifying it. France in recent years has witnessed growing hostility towards its Muslim population, with Islamophobic sentiments growing.
In 2011, France became the first European country to ban the veil in public places. Nicolas Sarkozy, the President at the time, labelled the veil as “oppression” and were “not welcome” in France. The Islamic faith has been seen as somewhat problematic within its society, incompatible with French liberties.
The rise of the far-right movement as well as Marine Le Pen’s growing popularity rang alarm bells for French Muslims. But when Macron defeated far right candidate Le Pen to become President, there was some hope, especially after Macron warned against stigmatising Muslims or linking their religion with the fight against terrorism, back in 2019. He also called for a better understanding of the Islamic faith within his country.
But the French President’s stance has changed a great deal since then and it is now perceived as a confrontational one towards Muslims within the country. At the beginning of October, Macron came under fire for labelling Islam a “religion in crisis.” Since then, Macron has continued to charge forward in aggressive mode, and continues to alienate the Muslim community within his country.
Sadly for Macron, he has not shown the type of leadership required under testing times. He has failed to reach out and engage with the Muslim community at this delicate time. The entire French Muslim population should not be held to account for the actions of one or two individuals. Emmanuel Macron also has a duty towards Muslim citizens to ensure that his words and conduct do not endanger their lives.
Two Muslim women both wearing Hijabs were stabbed in Paris on October 21st in an Islamophobic attack, and the French President has yet to condemn the attack. The attack did not receive much media coverage either. Macron’s approach seems to be more about appeasing and getting on board the far-right base that supports the likes of Le Pen, than trying to engage French Muslims and diffuse a tense situation.
France, like many other countries, is struggling with the pandemic, so Macron might be flexing his muscles to prove himself a tough leader. And he might be thinking ahead for the elections, therefore wants to score brownie points with far-right voters. But trying to unify your country is not a sign of weakness. On the contrary, it shows strength and character of a world leader.
France takes great pride in its liberal identity but appears to have issues with its Muslim citizens taking pride in their religious identity. An open letter addressed to the French President has condemned the “draconian” measures taken by the French government against Muslims and the growing anti-Muslim sentiment within the country. The letter has been signed by various Muslim figures from across the world. There appears to be a crackdown on Mosques, which the government is defending as
In the letter, the signatories have accused France of imposing a crackdown on its Muslim citizens and requested the French government to “end its campaign of hostility towards those carrying out their duties to live lawfully. Muslims in France should be afforded the rights that others are guaranteed; fully, without facing state oppression.”
If Emmanuel Macron wishes to unify his divided country, then he needs to end his hostile approach and reach out to the Muslim community. He needs to be open for dialogue and needs to listen to what they have to say, rather than shutting them out.
The right to protest is an important part of a functioning democracy. Therefore, Muslims have every right to protest and voice their grievances. But protest must be peaceful, and violence must be rejected. It is never a solution and becomes a part of a never-ending vicious cycle that does not counter racism and Islamophobia. It is cruel, senseless and achieves nothing.
But Muslim leaders across the world must also refrain from going overboard and should be careful with their choice of words. Registering their disapproval and showing support for French Muslims is understandable. But they need to keep in mind that matters should not be made worse for French Muslims.
Heroics in order to please a national audience must not add to the tension already brewing on the streets of France. What we are seeing within France could also have serious ramifications within the rest of Europe, which must be averted. Neither the French nor the rest of the world, should play politics over this.
The writer has studied History and Politics at Queen Mary, University of London. And Near and Middle East Studies At SOAS, University of London.
