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https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/26/europe/france-boycott-muslim-countries-macron-intl/index.html
A thread on France, cartoons, Islamophobia, and boycotts:
1-As a Muslim-American, I find it deeply hurtful that anyone would draw caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed just to make a point. I also believe in everyone's right to draw whatever they want.
A thread on France, cartoons, Islamophobia, and boycotts:
1-As a Muslim-American, I find it deeply hurtful that anyone would draw caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed just to make a point. I also believe in everyone's right to draw whatever they want.
2-So with that, how to square what's happening in France? It is HORRIFYING that someone could be killed for merely talking about these cartoons. Something is very wrong (understatement) w/ that level of ignorance, intolerance & propensity for violence https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54632353
3-In response, was it helpful for Macron to double down on his increasingly alienating rhetoric re "Islamism," thereby linking Islam & the very strain of violence that has killed more Muslims than anyone? Even if not deliberate, should he not know better? https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54639343
4-Remember that Macron's famous "Islam is a religion in crisis" speech came BEFORE the brutal murder of high school teacher Samuel Paty. Not "radical Islam is a crisis," but Islam, the religion. Can you understand how that made Muslims feel? Why attack the religion as a whole?
5-Read his speech carefully. Macron implies that Islam in France is under foreign influence. All Islam, in all of France, is under foreign influence. Is that not what the Front National's talking points are? Who in France is standing up for French Muslims? https://www.france24.com/en/20201002-live-macron-outlines-proposal-for-law-to-fight-separatism-in-france
6-So, back to the boycott. To be clear, few of the countries calling for a boycott of French products prioritize Muslims or their rights globally. Starkest example: Silence regarding Uighers being sterilized and held in concentration camps in China. https://www.france24.com/en/20191127-china-communist-uighurs-xinjiang-muslim-silence-camps-repression
7-That said, if Muslim citizens want to boycott, can you blame them? What other peaceful, non-violent tools do they have to elevate their voices? Voices that have been falling on deaf ears in the post-9/11 West to great disappointment and frustration?
8-So what to do now? Middle East leaders need to stop politicizing Islam in/to the West. It hurts ordinary Muslims & turns people against them. Also, Western leaders like Macron have to be smarter & more compassionate. Their words have an impact. They can't afford to be careless.
9-As the president of ALL French people, Macron should embrace and understand French Muslims. Talk to them. Have them HELP you refine your message against a common enemy that targets non-Muslims & Muslims alike. Much more I can say, but for now I'll end here.
