Colin Randall

After her time with ISIS, French prisoner seeks rehabilitation Meeting Emilie Konig reveals a young woman alienated from the society of her homeland

July 10, 2022 Colin Randall

(National-UAE) In the relative comfort of a prison outside Paris ― after nearly five years in a spartan Kurdish detention camp in north-eastern Syria ― a policeman’s daughter once described as a dangerous terrorist now talks of regaining “the life of a […]

Radical associations to be disbanded in overhaul of French Islam French president Emmanuel Macron announced a flavour of his plans on Monday.

October 28, 2019 Colin Randall

(National-UAE) France’s president Emmanuel Macron has revealed plans to disband some radical Islamic associations and outlaw “certain practices” in what is seen as a preview of his long-awaited announcement on the organisation of Islam in France. Mr Macron said he was adopting […]

Notre-Dame bomb plot: Sentencing of female terror cell expected this week French trial reveals how four women were convinced to inflict more carnage on Paris

October 12, 2019 Colin Randall

(National-UAE) An unprecedented trial of six women accused after a failed car bombing close to Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris sheds new light on the recruitment, manipulation and deployment of females by terrorists. The Paris court is also judging a major ISIS figure […]

French Muslim association to forge ahead with imam training plans despite Macron reticence Hakim El Karoui’s association plans to raise cash from taxes on halal products and Hajj trips

August 14, 2019 Colin Randall

(National-UAE) A new French Muslim association is pressing ahead with plans to finance the training and payment of imams despite silence from President Emmanuel Macron on his long-promised initiative for the organisation of Islam in France. Analysts believe the president shelved his […]

Controversial scholar Ramadan’s absence overshadows Muslim gathering with France at crossroads over Islam’s role The Swiss academic accused of rape continues to hold ideological sway over some attending the Muslims of France group meeting despite efforts by organisers to distance themselves from him

April 24, 2019 Colin Randall

(National-UAE) As tens of thousands of people attended the annual congress of a French Muslim organisation, the name of a controversial absentee was in many thoughts. Tariq Ramadan, the Swiss academic accused of two rapes but vehemently protesting his innocence, has been […]

French Muslim youth the dominant group seeking isolation from society Senior Catholic figure says mainly 15-year-olds to 30-year-olds rejecting French values

November 11, 2018 Colin Randall

(National-UAE) French Muslims between the ages of 15 and 30 form the main group seeking isolation from society and rejecting its vaunted values of freedom, equality and fraternity, says a senior Catholic figure with knowledge of Islamic affairs. Father Vincent Feroldi, director […]

Ecquevilly: The ‘quiet Salafist’ town resisting French integration While there are signs of hope in this commune west of Paris, a radical preacher’s influence lingers

November 11, 2018 Colin Randall

(National-UAE) Barely 30 kilometres from the renowned Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles, France’s perpetual search for harmonious relations with its post-colonial Muslim population has its own reflection in the troubled recent history of one small town. On first encounter, […]