MACRON’S STATEMENT ON ISLAM UNWARRANTED

We condemn strongly French President Emmanuel Macron’s statement that says Islam is ‘in crisis’.

‘Islam is a religion that is in crisis all over the world today’, says Macron, as he unveils plan to defend secularism

He unveilled his plan to defend France’s secular values against what he termed as “Islamist radicalism”, saying the religion was “in crisis” all over the world.

Macron insisted “no concessions” would be made in a new drive to push religion out of education and the public sector in France.

Macron decries ‘Islamic separatism’, and defends right to blasphemy.

His statement reflects his own ignorance of what Islam and the Muslims are currently undergoing.

We strongly reject his obsession to full secularism imposed on France including on the lives of Muslims.

He announced that the government would present a bill in December to strengthen a 1905 law that officially separated church and state in France.

Macron claims that he aimed at addressing a problem of growing “radicalisation” in France and improving “our ability to live together”.

However he fails to address the Islamophobic and hate speeches against Islam and Muslims as the main reason for reactions in defense of Islam.

His belief that “secularism is the cement of a united France,” is no reason for him to pass judgement on Islam as a religion in crisis.

Macron’s announcement on outward displays of religious affiliation would be banned in schools and the public service is objectionable.

Imposing banning of
wearing the hijab in French schools and for public servants at their workplace denies the right of religious practices.

Macron’s policy favours and emboldened the far right, anti-Muslim leftists and threatened the lives of Muslim students.

Macron conveniently avoided to mention white supremacy even though France is the country that exported the racist and white supremacist theory of the ‘great replacement’, used by the terrorist who committed the horrific massacre in Christchurch..

Macron also claimed he is seeking to “liberate” Islam in France from foreign influences by improving oversight of mosque financing.

We denounce the intrusion in Muslim organizations including closer scrutiny of schools and associations exclusively serving religious communities.

We demand the rights of
the Muslim minority in France to be protected. Muslim population in France is the largest in Europe.

Macron cannot ignore that fact that the Charlie Hebdo satirical weekly, that published caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad is a direct assault on Islam and Muslims have the right to protest.

Macron do not seem to care about the feelings of Muslims and to him the narrative of Islam and Muslims are in crisis is yet another Islamophobic message to the world.

Members of the Muslim community in France have consistently denounced the acts, describing them as going against the precepts of their religion.

We iterate our stand that what is needed is a true understanding of Islam and avoid wrong perception towards it.

We demand Macron to retract what he said and apologies to all Muslims for his unwarranted remark .

Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid
President
Malaysia Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations