Jamaat-e-Islami Hind President Syed Sadatullah Husaini has condemned the Islamophobic actions and statements of the government of France in the past few weeks.
In a statement to the media on October 27, the JIH President said, “French President Emmanuel Macron is openly exhibiting Islamophobia. One of the reasons for which is the failure of his government on various fronts. For the last few years, one can observe a fair degree of extremism in the far-right political and non-political groups. It appears as if Macron is resorting to Islamophobia to discredit these organisations. The French economy is not doing well, unemployment is growing, questions are being raised on the high death toll due to the Covid-19 pandemic and corruption has increased. One of his cabinet members is facing allegations of rape. Amidst dwindling political fortunes, Macron is not displaying intellect and maturity. His emotional outbursts, baseless anti-Islamic allegations and Islamophobic statements have hurt Muslims and justice-loving people, all over the world.”
Mr. Husaini said, “We demand that the French government put an end to its anti-Islamic actions. The actions of Charlie Hebdo are crude exploitation of freedom of expression. Islam does not oppose freedom of speech and opinion. However, it should not be denigrating but should be in the form of serious argument and debate. The approach adopted by the French President is extremely abusive and confrontational, which is unacceptable and condemnable in the eyes of all who value civility and courtesy. The French government should objectively evaluate the issue of teacher Samuel Paty, the act by the Chechen student and its aftermath in the context of politics, sociology and psychology. France should not lose its standing in the global arena by becoming emotional and falling prey to political expediency. The government should not create a rift within the French society.”
The JIH President added: “Indian Muslims are also deeply hurt by the actions and statements of the French President.” He has also called on the government of India to put pressure on the French government to refrain from Islamophobic behaviours.
Welfare Party of India Demands Introduction of Int’l Blasphemy Law
National President of Welfare Party of India Dr SQR Ilyas strongly criticised French President Macron for misusing his position and encouraging hate mongering to serve partisan political interests in his country.
Dr Ilyas condemned the growing intolerance and blasphemous attack on religions and its icons and rubbished the claim of it as, ‘freedom of speech and expression’ and said, No freedom is “obsolete”.
He condemned the President of France for not giving up the blasphemous cartoons on the Prophet of Islam ﷺ and paying the highest civilian honour to the artist who committed the crime, which hurt the sentiments of millions of followers across the globe and demanded that, these cartoons be withdrawn immediately and apology rendered to the faithful.
Dr Ilyas requested the United Nations to intervene and adopt a resolution, to pass an ‘international blasphemy law’ to protect and honour all religions and its icons.