Macron's Islamophobia

By Attiya Ghani

French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a speech to combat "Islamic separatism", by announcing that Islam was in a state of "crisis" worldwide and defending disrespectful cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad under the banner of "freedom to speak, to write, to think, to draw."

On one hand, Macron said that “All forms of racism and anti-Semitism are against the law in France” while on the other hand, he planted the seeds of racism and hatred by calling the religion in which billions of Muslims follow peacefully in crisis. In an attempt to remove the gap between people of different faiths, Macron has increased the societal division by allowing people to draw an insulting cartoon about Prophet Muhammad. This is, in fact, the opposite of demolishing the gap between religions, as this gap is nurtured by this hatred and flourishes under the words of Macron. This is a sign of weakness and clear, distinguishable hypocrisy.

Furthermore, the president goes on by saying that “if you take the last forty years in the world, over 80% of the victims of this terrorism have been Muslims.” Being an Ahmadi Muslim, I would suggest, if that is the case, then Macron should provide a platform for victims (Muslims) so that they can speak for themselves.

Radical Islam, Muslim terrorists, religion in crisis, and derogatory cartoons of the Holy Prophet of Islam are all false and offensive statements for Muslims. If someone is eager to learn about Islam then they should read the Holy Qur’an first. It is time to stand up against racism by avoiding hurting other people’s sentiments. We will have to mutually respect sacred figures then we will be able to see the future we want to see.