Shocked by terror attack today @ a #church in #Nice #France

Condemnations NOT enough

We must recognize grave #humanrights impact of fundamentalisms incl Islamism & support those-incl MANY of #Muslim heritage- who counter such ideologies which foster this awful violence
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Let's be clear

Misinformed coverage of events in #France by much English-language media, conflating Islamism & Islam, & suggesting it is anti-Muslim to challenge political organizations which support Islamist ideology, makes more terrorism more likely around the world

It also disregards the views of many of North African & #Muslim heritage in #France & beyond who've been leading opponents & victims of the political ideology of Islamism & have for years warned how dangerous it is but receive little support & aren't heard https://bit.ly/2TCEC6g 

An Algerian refugee in France who fled 90s jihadist violence in her country wrote 2 me today: "We're fed up with people being so offended by cartoons & going out to scream about them in their countries, but not caring if a teacher is decapitated. That doesn't seem to bother them"

My Algerian father, who went to Quranic school in his village as a child, spoke out against fundamentalists in his country in the 90s &was struck by the lack of international solidarity. His life was repeatedly threatened but he never stopped speaking out http://mahfoudbennoune.com 

He wrote an OpenLetter to a terrorist spokesman: "Your movement..is the negation of reason & democracy, of common sense & of Islamic, humanist & universal values. This is the reason why it can never be the bearer of peace, progress, culture

Your movement is doomed to failure."

These words are also true of today's Islamists and the violent movements they nourish. But their failure can only be guaranteed if people of good will, committed to human rights speak out UNEQUIVOCALLY everywhere & stop justifying the unjustifiable & blaming the victims

Actual discrimination against Muslims & immigrants is a completely unacceptable response to Islamist #terrorism &must be strongly opposed, but so too are inaction&obfuscation & willful blindness which must be challenged

I hope #humanrights advocates everywhere will remember this