France : Extremism vs Secularism-2/”>Secularism Issue
France is reeling from a spate of terrorist attacks perpetrated in the name of Islam. Last month, a boy of Chechen origin killed his school teacher for displaying controversial images of Prophet Mohammad, which had provoked a macabre terrorist attack against the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in 2015. In early October, Macron made public his plans to ‘regulate’ Islam and counter ‘Islamist separatism’ by passing a new law to that effect. In a tribute to the school teacher, Macron said, ‘We will not renounce cartoons or drawings even if others recoil’. As tensions continued to smoulder, another Islamist terrorist murdered three civilians at a Church in the city of Nice. As despicable as these acts of violence are, they have occasioned the conditions for reflection.
France and Islam
The link between France and Islam dates back to the days of colonialism when the country ruled over several Arab countries in North Africa and the Middle East. Following its occupation during WWII, France sought to restore its pride by clinging on to its colonial possessions. Its recalcitrance on the question of granting independence and high-handedness in dealing with its colonial subjects generated colossal amounts of bloodshed. The Algerian war typified the racist contempt with which the French colonists treated the natives. Although other countries like Tunisia, Morocco or Lebanon did not have to fight a bloody war against the state for independence, the savagery of colonisation remained etched in popular memory.
A bruised self-esteem amongst the natives was a key consequence of decades of French colonialism. When a new generation of people from its former colonies started to migrate to France, they brought with them the bitterness with which their forebears regarded the French state. This was the beginning of the friction between France and its Muslim citizens. This sentiment was compounded by the poor economic situations the immigrants found themselves in.
Islamic extremism in France
Geographical proximity is a major reason why France is vulnerable to attacks from North Africa, there are also other reasons why France is targeted. The rise of fundamentalist jihadist outfits at the turn of the century provided an option for the disaffected denizens of the banlieues to vent their pent-up anger against the state. Moreover, groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS attracted a large number of fighters from the Islamic Maghreb, a region of French pre-eminence. For example, a large number of Muslims joined ISIS from France’s former colony Tunisia. The city of Nice, where the recent Church stabbings and a ‘lone wolf’ Islamist attack took place in 2016, is home to a substantial Tunisian diaspora. These connections make it easier for Islamist terrorists to target France than any other country in the West, like the USA or the UK. Indeed, figures revealed that over 1,700 French nationals went to fight for ISIS in the heyday of its caliphate.
This trend demonstrates that the temporal grievances of the Islamic community in France, mostly economic and social ones, adopt religious colours when they go unaddressed. The radical Islamist organisations feed on disgruntled young Muslim men and persuade them to seek salvation through arms. Thus, a thoroughly domestic socio-economic problem becomes an international one when external malign forces intervene to recruit foot-soldiers for a destructive cause.
A harmonious France needs a government that addresses the core reasons that push Muslims to militancy. Along with adequate Education, Health and EMPLOYMENT opportunities French Muslims need a Society that embraces them for what they are. A greater focus on their reasonable socio-economic worries might integrate Muslims closer into the larger society and thwart any recourse to Islamism for solace. But, some ideals of the French state, such as secularism and freedom of expression stand in the way towards that end.
The problem with Laïcité
The French version of secularism – laïcité – plays a profound role in the alienation of Muslim communities in France. A history of competition between the republic and an authoritarian church for power and supremacy redounded to the energy with which secularism was instituted in the state. Laïcité, adopted through a 1905 law, guarantees the citizens freedom of conscience and dissociates the state from any faith, belief or religion. In other words, the French state does not recognize any religion and it is faith blind. While this might seem innocuous, another provision of the law forbids demonstrating religious symbols in public. This posed considerable threat to the harmony of French public life.
Freedom to offend
The case of Charlie Hebdo Outright violence broke out in early 2015 when the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo published a series of cartoons depicting Prophet Mohammad in improper ways, considered blasphemous in Islam. Two brothers of Algerian descent broke into the premises of the newspaper and murdered 11 people in cold blood including the chief editor and the cartoonist. The terrorist attack, as it drew widespread condemnation, also sparked a debate about the freedom to offend. Charlie Hebdo had a notorious history of offending faiths including but not limited to Islam. Following the attacks, the newspaper drew support from the global community for its heroic championing of freedom of expression. But the debate about whether or not some things are beyond satire continued to rage.
Amidst the sea of support that poured in, the slogan ‘Je suis Charlie’ (I am Charlie) emerged the contention that Charlie Hebdo had been breaching certain norms of morality. The portrayal of Mohammad naked on all fours should have been considered outrageous not because it disparaged Islam, but instead because it violated basic human decency. As the popular movement in favour of Charlie Hebdo morphed into a rally for freedom of expression in general, questions related to the finer details of the issue and the dubious moral superiority of the newspaper fell by the wayside.
The sanguinary episodes of terrorism in France have spurred President Emmanuel Macron to double down on efforts to ensure the security of the realm. His latest plans to ‘create’ a French version of Islam neglects to address the root causes of the terrorist scourge that plagues France. Attempts to ‘reform’ Islam would only reinforce the antipathy towards the state that have long festered amongst Muslims in France.,
Secularism in France
Secularism is a principle of government that asserts the separation of religion from the state. In France, secularism is enshrined in the law and is a core value of the French Republic. The French government is officially secular, and all public institutions are required to be secular. This means that religion is not allowed to play a role in public life, and that all citizens are equal regardless of their religious beliefs.
The Charlie Hebdo attacks
On January 7, 2015, two gunmen attacked the offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris. The attack was carried out by Islamist extremists who were angered by Charlie Hebdo’s cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. Twelve people were killed in the attack, including several cartoonists and journalists.
The Nice attack
On July 14, 2016, a truck driver drove into a crowd of people celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, France. The attack killed 86 people and injured more than 400 others. The driver, Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, was a Tunisian national who had been radicalized in France.
The Bataclan attack
On November 13, 2015, a series of coordinated attacks took place in Paris, France. The attacks included shootings and suicide bombings at the Bataclan concert hall, the Stade de France, and other locations in the city. The attacks killed 130 people and injured more than 350 others. The attackers were members of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
The Samuel Paty beheading
On October 16, 2020, a 18-year-old Chechen refugee beheaded Samuel Paty, a French teacher who had shown his class cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. The attack was condemned by French President Emmanuel Macron, who called it an “act of barbarity”.
The rise of far-right extremism in France
In recent years, there has been a rise in far-right extremism in France. This is due to a number of factors, including the economic crisis, the refugee crisis, and the rise of ISIS. Far-right extremists are opposed to immigration, Islam, and Multiculturalism. They have carried out a number of attacks in France, including the Charlie Hebdo attacks and the Nice attack.
The role of Islam in France
Islam is the second largest religion in France, after Christianity. There are an estimated 5 million Muslims in France, or about 8% of the Population. Islam has been a part of French society for centuries, and Muslims have made significant contributions to French culture and society. However, in recent years, there has been a rise in Islamophobia in France. This is due to a number of factors, including the terrorist attacks carried out by Islamist extremists, the refugee crisis, and the rise of far-right extremism.
The French government’s response to extremism
The French government has taken a number of measures to combat extremism in France. These measures include:
- Increasing security measures, such as increasing the number of police officers and installing security cameras.
- Cracking down on hate speech and discrimination.
- Promoting Tolerance and understanding between different religious groups.
- Providing support for victims of extremism.
The international response to extremism in France
The international community has condemned the terrorist attacks that have taken place in France. The United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries have offered their support to France in its fight against extremism. The international community has also taken a number of measures to combat extremism, such as:
- Sharing intelligence and information.
- Cooperating on law enforcement and border security.
- Promoting tolerance and understanding between different religious groups.
- Providing support for victims of extremism.
The future of secularism in France
The future of secularism in France is uncertain. The rise of far-right extremism and the terrorist attacks that have taken place in France have put secularism under pressure. However, the French government remains committed to secularism, and it is likely that secularism will continue to be a core value of the French Republic.
What is secularism?
Secularism is the principle of separation of government and religion. It means that the government does not endorse or promote any particular religion, and that people are free to practice their religion without interference from the government.
What is extremism?
Extremism is the belief in or advocacy of extreme political, social, or religious ideals and actions. It can be violent or non-violent, and it can be motivated by a variety of factors, including religious beliefs, political ideology, or a desire for Social Change.
What is the issue of extremism vs. secularism in France?
France is a secular country, and the government does not endorse or promote any particular religion. However, there has been a recent rise in extremism in France, particularly among Muslim youth. This has led to a debate about the role of religion in French society, and whether the government should do more to combat extremism.
What are the arguments for and against secularism?
Those who support secularism argue that it is important to protect the separation of church and state. They believe that religion should be a private matter, and that the government should not interfere in religious affairs. They also argue that secularism is necessary to protect freedom of religion, as it prevents the government from favoring one religion over another.
Those who oppose secularism argue that it is important to respect religious freedom. They believe that people should be free to practice their religion without interference from the government. They also argue that secularism can lead to discrimination against religious minorities.
What are the consequences of extremism?
Extremism can have a number of negative consequences, including violence, social unrest, and economic instability. It can also lead to the erosion of Democracy and the Rule of Law.
What are the solutions to the issue of extremism vs. secularism in France?
There is no easy solution to the issue of extremism vs. secularism in France. However, some possible solutions include:
- Increasing education and awareness about the dangers of extremism
- Promoting tolerance and understanding between different religious groups
- Providing more support for young people who are at risk of radicalization
- Strengthening the rule of law and combating discrimination
Question 1
Which of the following is not a reason why France has a strong secular tradition?
(A) The French Revolution
(B) The Protestant Reformation
(C) The Enlightenment
(D) The Napoleonic Wars
Answer
(B) The Protestant Reformation. The Protestant Reformation was a religious movement that began in Germany in the 16th century. It led to the establishment of Protestantism, a branch of Christianity that broke away from the Catholic Church. The French Revolution, the Enlightenment, and the Napoleonic Wars were all political and social movements that took place in France in the 18th and 19th centuries. They all contributed to the development of France’s strong secular tradition.
Question 2
Which of the following is not a criticism of France’s secular tradition?
(A) It is too restrictive of religious freedom.
(B) It is not inclusive of all religions.
(C) It is based on a false dichotomy between religion and secularism.
(D) It is a threat to national unity.
Answer
(C) It is based on a false dichotomy between religion and secularism. The false dichotomy between religion and secularism is the idea that religion and secularism are two opposing forces that cannot coexist. This is not true. Religion and secularism can coexist peacefully, and in fact, they often do.
Question 3
Which of the following is not a reason why France has been criticized for its response to extremism?
(A) It has been accused of Islamophobia.
(B) It has been accused of using excessive force against extremists.
(C) It has been accused of not doing enough to prevent extremism.
(D) It has been accused of not doing enough to rehabilitate extremists.
Answer
(D) It has been accused of not doing enough to rehabilitate extremists. France has been criticized for its response to extremism, but it has also been praised for its efforts to rehabilitate extremists. France has a number of programs in place to help extremists reintegrate into society. These programs include education, job training, and counseling.
Question 4
Which of the following is not a reason why France has been praised for its response to extremism?
(A) It has been accused of Islamophobia.
(B) It has been accused of using excessive force against extremists.
(C) It has been accused of not doing enough to prevent extremism.
(D) It has been accused of not doing enough to protect its citizens from extremism.
Answer
(A) It has been accused of Islamophobia. France has been criticized for its response to extremism, but it has also been praised for its efforts to protect its citizens from extremism. France has a number of security measures in place to protect its citizens from extremism. These measures include intelligence gathering, border control, and law enforcement.
Question 5
Which of the following is not a reason why France’s response to extremism is controversial?
(A) It is seen by some as a threat to religious freedom.
(B) It is seen by some as a threat to national unity.
(C) It is seen by some as a threat to the French way of life.
(D) It is seen by some as a threat to the European Union.
Answer
(D) It is seen by some as a threat to the European Union. France’s response to extremism is controversial, but it is not seen by most people as a threat to the European Union. The European Union has a number of policies in place to combat extremism, and France is a strong supporter of these policies.