France
Mohammed Chirani declares ‘jihad’ against Daech
A French Muslim who created headlines when he went on national television in France to declare jihad on Islamic State (IS) extremists says he is not deterred by the death threats he has received since. In the wake of the Paris attacks, Mohammed Chirani, a specialist in religious radicalization, delivered an impassioned speech telling IS…
France called for ‘enlightened Islam’ against jihadist ideology
Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve urged French Muslim leaders on Sunday to develop an “enlightened Islam” to confront what he called the obscurantist views of Islamic State that lead young Muslims into violence. At their first meeting since the Nov. 13 killings of 130 people, he told about 400 Muslim leaders, imams and activists that France…
Religious leaders in Rhône-Alpes gather to fight radical Islam
The State, mayors in the Rhône-Alpes, and local religious leaders have set a goal to curb radicalization of young Muslims in the region, introducing 10 propositions. These include: opening the mosque to women, lessening financial burdens, mentoring Arab language schools, reinforcing interreligious dialogue, creating a regional council of Muslims. These goals are intended to “clarify”…
Marine Le Pen acquitted of inciting hatred
National Front leader Marine le Pen has been acquitted of charges of inciting hatred on the December 2010 campaign trail in Lyon, France. The charges relate to her comments comparing Muslims praying in the streets to the Nazi occupation of France in World War Two. In October Ms Le Pen told a court in Lyon…
French film shows chilling climate for Muslims in post-Hebdo France
Yesterday, the New York Times published an article that was deeply alarming from the headline to the last line: “After Paris Attacks, a Darker Mood Toward Islam Emerges in France.” It describes how the relationship between France and “its Muslim community” is now “tipping toward outright distrust, even hostility” in the aftermath of last Friday’s…