News Agencies – February 10, 2011
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has declared that multiculturalism had failed, joining a growing number of world leaders or former leaders who have condemned it. He responded to the policy which advocates that host societies welcome and foster distinct cultural and religious immigrant groups.“The French national community cannot accept a change in its lifestyle, equality between men and women … freedom for little girls to go to school,” he said.
British Prime Minister David Cameron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Australia’s ex-prime minister John Howard and Spanish ex-premier Jose Maria Aznar have also recently said multicultural policies have not successfully integrated immigrants.
Mr. Sarkozy added that “our Muslim compatriots must be able to practise their religion, as any citizen can,” but he noted “we in France do not want people to pray in an ostentatious way in the street.” French far-right leader Marine Le Pen late last year came under fire for comparing Muslims praying in the streets outside overcrowded mosques in France to the Nazi occupation.
