French Muslim leaders were up in arms yesterday over two apparent arson attacks on mosques in eastern France on Friday, attacking the political establishment for failing to attend a silent protest demonstration here and blaming the fires on the recent debate over Franceâs new law banning the wearing of the hijab. One fire totally devastated an 80-square meter prayer room in nearby Seynod, while the other seriously damaged the heating system at the mosque in a suburb of Annecy. Addressing some 300 protesters in Annecy, Kamel Kabtane, president of the regional RhÃŽne-Alpes council of the Conseil Français du Culte Musulman (CFCM), criticized the absence of concern by Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, who recently, during the state visit to France of Israeli president Moshe Katsav had identified himself with a campaign by the French authorities to declare war against anti-Semitism in France. âWe are in a pre-electoral period and many politicians did not dare come, fearing perhaps a backlash from voters,â he added. These âcriminal actionsâ were partly the result of an Islamophobic mood settling over France, said Kabtane. as well as stemming from the debate over secularism in the country.
| Mosques should not be burned, no more than synagogues should be burned or churches bombed. If the attacks took place Friday, and they haven't found the perps yet by late Saturday, that likely means the French cops, who're quite competent, are probably still sifting through evidence. Expecting results instantly is nothing short of childish. And if you don't think the pols like you, don't vote for them. |
He blamed the veil debate for stirring it up. It had brought about âan anti-Muslim reactionâ. It was the end result of âall these speeches weâve been hearing ever since May of last year â a reference to the date when Sarkozyâs plan to set up the CFCM, Franceâs first representative body for the countryâs five million Muslims, came into effect.
| It could also have something to do with all those bombs and guns and poisons and false documents that seem to keep associating themselves with the Muslim community in la Belle France... |
President Jacques Chirac made all the proper noises condemned the torching of the mosques, assuring the Muslim community of his sympathy and support. A statement said the president had been deeply disturbed by the news of the attacks in Seynod and Annecy. âWithout prejudging the inquiry that is in progress, he strongly condemns these hateful acts,â a statement said. |