France has unleashed a broad crackdown on Muslims creating a climate of fear amongst its citizens, influential members of Muslim civil society say in a petition.
In a press release issued on October 28, 2020, various Islamic key figures from around the world condemned the ‘draconian’ actions of France against Muslims and the anti-Muslim sentiment on the rise in the country.
“We, the undersigned, condemn the recurrent insults towards the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), and the insistence of the French government to defend them. This crosses a red line that rightly draws the contempt of Muslims across the world,” the statement began.
The statement mentioned French actions against Islamic institutions, including BarakaCity, which was later dissolved by the French Council of Ministers: “We are alarmed by the French government’s violent crackdown on its Muslim citizens which has seen the closure of mosques, schools, businesses and attempts to dissolve mainstream civil society organisations, such as the anti Islamophobia group CCIF and humanitarian relief charity, BarakaCity.”
According to a tweet by French Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmanin, “The BarakaCity association was dissolved in the Council of Ministers this morning [October 28, 2020]” because it allegedly “incited hatred, maintained relations within the radical Islamist movement, took pleasure in justifying terrorist acts.”
The press release, penned before Darmanin’s tweet, warns that recent statements by the French President Emmanuel Macron and Darmanin “have been irrational and aggressive, deliberately targeting a minority community” and that their words had consequences: “Already there are reports that two Muslim women were stabbed close to the Eiffel Tower on 21 October 2020 in an Islamophobic attack. Such incidents do not take place in a vacuum.”
The press release reveals that Muslims around the world were shocked by Darmanin’s public admission “that dozens of individuals not linked to any criminal investigation, were raided in order to simply send a message to Muslims in France. This extraordinary claim highlights that the police and other arms of government have been politicised to intimidate otherwise innocent Muslim citizens.”
The press release demands that Muslims be treated with dignity and respect, emphasising “Muslim communities and organisations stand in solidarity with France’s Muslims.”
On a final note, it says “We call on 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.”
A full copy of the letter with its signatories can be found below:
We, the undersigned, condemn the recurrent insults towards the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), and the insistence of the French government to defend them. This crosses a red line that rightly draws the contempt of Muslims across the world.
We are alarmed by the French government’s violent crackdown on its Muslim citizens which has seen the closure of mosques, schools, businesses and attempts to dissolve mainstream civil society organisations, such as the anti Islamophobia group CCIF and humanitarian relief charity, BarakaCity. These are celebrated organisations that conduct their activities in a lawful manner. They should not be harassed by the state.
Recent statements by the President Emmanuel Macron and the Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin have been irrational and aggressive, deliberately targeting a minority community.
Already there are reports that two Muslim women were stabbed close to the Eiffel Tower on 21 October 2020 in an Islamophobic attack. Such incidents do not take place in a vacuum..
The Interior Minister made the shocking public admission that dozens of individuals not linked to any criminal investigation, were raided in order to simply send a message to Muslims in France.
This extraordinary claim highlights that the police and other arms of government have been politicised to intimidate otherwise innocent Muslim citizens.
Muslim communities and organisations stand in solidarity with France’s Muslims. We call on the French government to end its campaign of hostility towards those carrying out their duties lawfully. Muslims in France should be afforded the rights that others are guaranteed; to live fully, without facing state oppression.
1. Mohammed Kozbar, Finsbury Park Mosque
2. Imam Yousaf Baig, Wifaqul Ulama
3. Shaqur Rehman, Islamic Council of Europe
4. Zahir Mahmood, As-Suffa Institute
5. Shaykh Suliman Gani, Purley Masjid
6. Shaykh Dr. Haitham Al-Haddad, AlMarkaz Centre for Revival & Reform Studies
7. Shaykh Farid Haibatan, Muslim Research & Development Foundation
8. Shakeel Begg, Lewisham Islamic Centre
9. Dr. Omar Suleiman, Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research
10. Prof. Dr. Sami Al-Arian, Center for Islam and Global Affairs (CIGA) – Istanbul, Turkey
11. Dr Yasir Qadhi, The Islamic Seminary of America
12. Yasemin Yürekli, EMISCO – European Muslim Initiative for Social Cohesion
13. Dr Shazad Amin, MEND
14. Imran Shah, Muslim Public Affairs Committee UK
15. Dr Asim Qureshi, CAGE
16. Wasim Kempson, The Wise Muslim
17. Ragad Altikriti, Muslim Association of Britain
18. Yahya Birt
19. Imam Yahya Ibrahim, Islamic Community Services
20. Fatih Atmaca, Imam of Balgreen Masjid and Chair of Edinburgh Turkish Community
21. Zahid Akhtar, Documenting Oppression Against Muslims
22. Rafiq ibn Jubair, IlmFeed
23. Fadel Soliman, Bridges Foundation
24. Roshan Muhammed Salih, 5Pillars News
25. Anas Altikriti, The Cordoba Foundation, UK
26. Salman Butt, Islam21c
27. Tasneem Najwa, Nakheel Women’s Group
28. Hasib Noor, Founder & Director of The Legacy Institute
29. Samira Sabir, Centrum de Middenweg
30. Oguzhan Yürekli, European Yozgat Federation
31. Dr Mohammed Rafiq Habib, Muslim Council of Scotland
32. Abdul Wahid, Hizb ut Tahrir Britain
33. Shabbir Hassan, Faith Space UK
34. Bilal Ismail, Alkauthar Institute
35. Abdelmonim Elhakim, British Islamic Medical Association
36. Abdur Rashid, UK Islamic Mission
37. Shaykh Bilal Brown, Marifah Institute
38. Abid Khan, Cheadle Mosque
39. Abdullah Patel, Masjid e Umar (Gloucester)
40. Mohammed Farook Kazi, Al-Ansaar Welfare & Education
41. Muhammad Uddin, Newham Muslim Forum
42. Imam Sheikh Mohammad Ismail, United Mosque Council of South Yorkshire and
Jamiat Ulama UK
43. Muhammad Mulla, Masjid-e-Umer (London)
44. Bakhtiar Ahmad, Masjid Salaam
45. Dr Louay Al-Alousi, Masjid-us-Sunnah
46. Omar Hajaj, West London Islamic Cultural Centre
47. Usman Qureshi, Norbury Muslim Centre
48. Nayeem Haque, Muslim Youth Network
49. Nicolas Blancho, Islamic Central Council of Switzerland
50. Muhammad Jalal, The Thinking Muslim Podcast
51. Firdosa Akhter, Aligarh Muslim University
52. Amanj Aziz, Nyans Muslim (Sweden)
53. Muhammad Delair, Madinatul Uloom
54. Rahma Bavelaar, Meld Islamofobie/Report Islamophobia (Netherlands)
55. Mohammed Lockhat, The Peace Centre
56. Dr. Aysha Wazwa, Gems of Light
57. Yusuf Ríos, Islamic Learning Foundation (Chicago USA)
58. Fahmi Adzha, International Islamic Federation Of Student Organizations (Turkey)
59. Tahir Alam, Muslim Parents Association
60. Dr. Maria Saleemi, Lahore College for Women University (Pakistan)
61. Ismail Kamdar, Islamic Self Help
62. Bilal Ismail, Imam Development Program
63. Yacoob Hafejee, Madrasah Taleemul Islam
64. Syed N Hoque, As-Subah Academy
65. Muhammad Mustaqeem Shah, Al Istiqāmah
66. Abul Barakat Monawar Hasan, Centre for Islamic Guidance UK
67. Zainulabedin Amir, Woodfarm Education Centre
68. Hashim Gora, Al Hashim academy
69. Abdallah Mohamed Elsaeidy, Hamad Medical Corporation Doha (Qatar)
Source: TRT World