In a recent open letter in Libération, prominent public figures reacted to the dismissal of Rokhaya Diallo from the National Digital Council (Conseil national du numérique, or CNNum). Notable signatories included Mediapart founder Edwy Plenel, former Collective Against Islamophobia in France director Marwan Muhammad, Danièle Obono and Céline Sciamma. Plenel reacted to the decision on Twitter, decrying the “witch…
This article in Libération charts Nicolas Sarkozy’s discourse on Arabic language instruction in France. The author suggests that while he has been extremely involved in the structuring of Islam in France and has presented himself as open to relationships with Mediterranean nations, there has been little advancement on his earlier promises related to Arabic instruction…
This newspaper article offers a character profile of André Gerin, who led the six month commission on niqab and burqa use in the Republic. The article suggests that the commission is a reflection of Gerin’s “crusade” since 9/11 against the “French Taliban.” Moreover, amidst the six French people held at Guantanamo since 2002, two were…
In his 9 December speech on the Swiss minaret ban, Nicholas Sarkozy has turned the discourse in France to one of national identity and integration, according to this Le Monde editorial. In particular, Sarkozy redefined French secularism as “the principle of neutrality and not a principle of indifference” toward religious faiths, and called on Muslims…
This article features an interview with Olivier Roy on the investigation of CNRS – employed Vincent Geisser, accused by some of holding Islamicist academic positions.
