France
Proceedings begin to deport El Hadi Doudi, Marseille’s Salafist Algerian imam
On March 8 a commission of magistrates began the process of deporting the influential Salafist Algerian imam El Hadi Doudi at the Interior Minister Gerard Collomb’s request. Doudi is suspected of having conducted radical and hateful preaching against Jews and those he refers to as “unbelievers” in his Marseille mosque. The committee follows the deportation…
French law against religious symbols in parliament sparks criticism
France’s parliament has banned lawmakers from wearing any religious symbols under a new “neutral” dress code. Members of the National Assembly must avoid “the wearing of conspicuous religious symbols, uniforms, logos or commercial messages or political slogans.” Any expression made in the chamber must be spoken, said François de Rugy, the president of the National Assembly. In the…
Farhad Khosrokhavar critiques government counterterrorism plan
In a recent Le Monde interview, sociologist Farhad Khosrokhavar spoke about the national counter-terrorism plan presented by Prime Minister Edouard Philippe on February 23. “This is a mobilization plan. It’s a battle that the state alone can’t fight,” Philippe said. The new plan targets prisons, schools and even sports clubs, and involves specialists and ordinary people on…
“Muslims of France” (formerly UOIF) issues statement on Tariq Ramadan
Muslims of France (formerly UOIF) issued the following statement regarding Tariq Ramadan’s detention: “Muslims of France has learned with concern of the deterioration of Mr. Tariq Ramadan’s state of health. His continued detention is all the more worrying, as Mr. Ramadan has been extremely cooperative with the law. Mr. Tariq Ramadan was regularly invited to…
Yassine Ayari: What will remain of the ‘Ramadan Generation’?
Yassine Ayari, activist and engineer, examines Tariq Ramadan’s role for a generation of citizens. Ayari recounts the string of events in the Ramadan affair since the beginning of February. First, he was indicted for rape and imprisoned. Then, it was revealed that he suffers from multiple sclerosis and other illnesses. He was then hospitalized and…