Clerics & Preachers

Renowned imam calls on Muslims to engage with France Prominent Islamic scholar [Mohammed] Abu Zaid has urged Muslims in France to cooperate with the government. But he told DW that the authorities should also foster dialogue with the Muslim community.

(Deutsche Welle) France’s latest steps in combating Islamist extremism at home have been closely monitored in Arab countries. The brutal killing of French teacher Samuel Paty, who had shown his pupils cartoons of the prophet Muhammad in class, prompted French President Emmanuel […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

HRW condemns France for shutting down anti-bias group ‘Whatever its intention, this measure risks further stigmatizing Muslims in France,’ says Human Rights Watch researcher

(Anadolu) Human Rights Watch (HRW) condemned Friday a decision by France to shut down a leading anti-discrimination group. The US-based rights advocacy NGO said the move threatens basic human rights and liberties including freedom of expression, association, religion and the principle of […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

French government shuts down anti-racist group Collective Against Islamophobia in France forced to close as government seeks continued crackdown on Muslim groups

(Anadolu) French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin on Wednesday announced the dissolution of anti-racist group Collective Against Islamophobia in France (CCIF). “In accordance with the instructions of the President of the Republic, the CCIF was dissolved in the Council of Ministers. For several […]

Government & Politics

French migration policy ‘anything but lax,’ says interior minister ‘No president has done as much as Emmanuel Macron’ when it comes to being tough on asylum and migration, says Gérald Darmanin.

(Politico) The French government’s migration policy is “anything but lax,” Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said, adding that “no president has done as much as Emmanuel Macron” when it comes to being tough on asylum and migration. Speaking to Le Parisien, Darmanin said […]

Government & Politics

France dissolves Muslim NGO BarakaCity The organisation has rejected accusations of inciting terrorism, says it will fight the decision 'until the very end'

(Middle East Eye) The French government dissolved on Wednesday French Muslim charity BarakaCity, government officials said, amid high tensions in the country following the murder of a teacher earlier this month. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin confirmed on Twitter that the NGO was […]

Gender Separation

French minister accuses mayors of giving in to ‘political Islam’ over swimming pools Bruno Le Maire hits out at ‘the ideology that is at the root of terrorism.’

(Politico) France’s finance minister on Friday accused some mayors of giving in to “political Islam” because they allow women-only hours at local swimming pools, underscoring a harsher tone in the aftermath of a schoolteacher’s beheading. “There is terrorism, yes — the crime […]

Academics & Education

French MP warns of generalized suspicion of Muslims Lawmaker urges unity in fight against terrorism, says terrorists aim to divide society, provoke anti-Muslim sentiments

(Anadolu) French lawmaker Adrien Quatennens has warned against a climate of generalized suspicion toward the country’s Muslims after the murder of teacher Samuel Paty by an extremist last Friday in the suburbs of Paris. Quatennens, an LFI Party member of the parliament […]

Government & Politics

France interior minister ups security at synagogues in wake of Paris attack Special protection ordered for Yom Kippur after 2 wounded in stabbing during trial over 2015 attack on Charlie Hebdo and kosher market

(Times of Israel) France’s Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said Friday that he had ordered an increase in security at synagogues following a stabbing attack in Paris outside the former offices of satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo. “I have given instructions that all symbolic […]