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Answer
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Name
Dhirulahi
- Nigeria
Profession
computer operator/Teaching
Question
What actually are the causes of this Unrest and why are they associating it with Islam or Muslims?
Answer
The causes are the death of two young people by an electro chock. They thought they were pursued by policemen. The majority of the inhabitants of these quarters are Muslims. That is why the unrest is associated with Islam.
Name
Kamal
- Nigeria
Profession
Question
What do you thing the French government should do to face the riots incidents?
Answer
The government must be aware of what is happening within these poor quarters. We cannot resolve it within hours.
The French elite and all the other parts of the society must be aware that France is, now, multicultural and must accept all French people of Maghrebi origins or Turkish and African ones.
Name
Osama
- Saudi Arabia
Profession
Question
Do you agree with me that the fatwa issued in France prohibiting participation in France will link Islam to the riots incident?
Answer
For me, there is a dangerous confusion in the sense that the Union of Islamic organizations of France is overcoming its role and tries to confuse its role with the State one.
There are a lot of critics expressed by Muslims after the issuing of this fatwa as it memories the collaboration of Muslim preachers with France during the occupation of Algeria.
Name
M. Muhsin
- Hungary
Profession
Question
Does religion have something to do with riots in France?
Answer
No, there is no direct link with the riots. It is rather the sign of misunderstanding in France, a social misunderstanding.
Name
Bartholemew
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
It seems that an aspect of the riots relates to the poverty many of the immigrant community find themselves in, with little opportunity to change their circumstances. In trying to find an 'identity' do you believe the immigrant community will go from one extreme (where they are today having lost track of their cultural heritage) to another extreme (where they try to rediscover their cultural heritage) - swinging back and forth and not finding the balance that would be required to sustain a productive life in a multi-cultural environment (irrespective of how the immigrant community may be perceived by the non immigrant community). And how do we ensure that instead of these horrible swings back and forth all parties concerned find a way to being harmony such that everyone wins?
Answer
It is obvious today that we are insisting on the come-back of young generations to their identity and mostly are re-discovering their Muslim identity. This is a first significant fact.
But, it is also true that young Muslims in France are the first ones to be the victim of the economic recession. Some of them isolate themselves with communitarian entities and others are trying to be more open towards the society in order to have better chances to succeed in their lives.
A great number of Muslim associations are working with different parts of the society.
In France, it is obvious that Muslims has not to isolate themselves and must at the contrary participate in the building of a multicultural society, respecting the difference and the specificities of others.
Name
Muhamme
- United Arab Emirates
Profession
Question
Assalamu alaickum
Could you tell us the real cause of the riots ?
Answer
The real causes are social and economic. Also, non-Muslim French people are involved in this crisis. But, the real victims are Muslims, of course especially those who live in poor quarters.
Name
Fahd Hussain
- Canada
Profession
Investment Banker
Question
I don't think that rioting is always wrong. In certain situations it is a catalyst that brings about change. It is very similar to the situation in the US in the turbulent 60's. This not about religion it is more to do about the poor class rising up to demand there rights. These teenagers have forced the government to address there grievances. I think that the Muslim community in France should take this opportunity and form a grass roots movement to demand equal treatment. The riots should be the first step in a longer term process.
Answer
Yes it is true that there a lot of discrimination in France. But, despite all, there is an institutional racism towards Muslim French people such as Maghrebis, Turkish people and Africans.
The challenge is to know that France is ready to accept non-European community, because France is an immigration territory. It integrated people from Belgium, Poland, Italy, Spain and Portugal and it seems difficult for this country to integrate Muslim community.
We can explain it by the fact that France has not ceased the Algerian issue. That is why they have to re-think their immigration model.
Name
Hassan
- Sweden
Profession
Question
Salamoun Aalaikoum,
What we see happening in France was due to happen ages ago. We same problem in other European countries and this should be a good example for the rest of the country. Should not this problem be a concern of EU and not only of France? What are we really expecting as a result? How do you see the results for Minister of interior in his participation for elections for presidency 2007? Thank you.
Answer
This crisis is a French one because it is directly linked with the French model of integration.
The Prime minister gave his opinion and took some measures. One of these measures is an emergency state which is new in France since the Algerian War and thus, it does not give a good sense. We lack a political space vis-ŕ-vis of these young people.
Nicolas Sarkozy is playing on two levels. First, he wants to seduce the different communities just like in the US and, second, he wants to seduce the extreme right Front National party. Where will he go? I have no answer.
Name
Richard
- United States
Profession
Question
Not that I condone violence, but it would have been nice to see this kind out outrage over 9/11 in association with Muslims. Nothing! Just "Islam is Peaceful" on any media outlet they could talk to. However, two youth die in a Muslim area and all hell breaks loose. The hypocrisy speaks for itself.
Answer
Media and politicians have a great responsibility. Some of them participate in stigmatizing Muslim community. They just link facts which have no link one with each other.
We can not link the tragic 9/11 with young people living in poor quarters and are struggling to have a job.
Name
Marco
- Canada
Profession
Question
I am very confused over this violence in France. I have read the Qur'an and find no permission to act this way. I have attended many mosques around the world and have met many a Muslim. Overall, I find Islam to be peaceful. However, considering the last few years it seems Muslims are the ones who are not peaceful. The religion is peace, its followers not. Yes, it is proper to blame all Muslims because you are considered one family. You as a people have failed time and time again to handle this violence. So, it is absolutely correct to say Islam is peaceful, but its followers at this time are not. I remember Judaism use to be peaceful as well and the Torah was beautiful. However, the Jews themselves were ignorant of God and he gave himself to another people more deserving. It's sad; you talk nicely and have pleasant words. However, you actions show failure to be united and get a handle on your people. It's your responsibility as a united family. I imagine God again will give his gift to a new people.
Answer
The young people in France are certainly Muslims but do not refer to Islam. This model of speech will not influence all the young people. That is why it is very important to know how they live and support them and is the responsibility of all the citizens.
Name
Murad
-
Profession
Student
Question
Salamalaikoum,
What will it take to end the riots (besides using force)? Does this have anything to do with the banning of the hijab? Thank you.
Answer
It has no direct link. But, this law provoked a deep sadness within Muslim community. The causes of the violence are social rather than religious.
Name
HOPE
-
Profession
Question
Please give us a detailed description of the suburbanites' life socially and economically and how they can face their problems, please give us details and examples.
Answer
In poor quarters, there are lot problems at different levels. The State does not give the same opportunities when we are in poor quarters as it gives to the other areas.
There is also a lot of discrimination when we are looking for a job or even for a home. For instance, we can find a great number of young people who have diplomas and they have no job because of their origins and the place of residence.
It is the same thing when you are looking for a house.
So, young people find themselves in a blocked situation and do not find any solution.
In France, there are reflections and proposals for change. They speak about positive discrimination for example, to have a better representation within media. But, the implementation of these ideas is facing problems.
Name
Amatullah
-
Profession
student
Question
Salaam,
What we seen in media before and after this problem French government seem to be acting selfish (shut their eye to suffering immigrants) they wish the immigrants disappear instantly. That would work they should have solutions. No schooling, no jobs. How do they want these young people to function?
Answer
The last governments faced this problem. Nobody knows how it will be resolved. There are young generations deprived of many things.
What's the solution? The Socialist government of under Mitterrand issued a city politics/strategy to resolve social and urban problems. This was provoked by 1981 riots incidents.
Sociologists and architects took part to this operation, by putting processes. But this experience had failed, as poor quarters revealed the State crisis. In fact, the City is the first victim of globalization.
Name
Frank
- United States
Profession
Question
Why don't Muslims migrate back to there homeland, where liked mind Muslims live. How can you complain about the conditions, when you know from historical purpose that knows one gives power away voluntary? You have to develop your own institutions and economic means.
Answer
For these young people, their homeland is France.
Name
Begum Shofiq
- Bangladesh
Profession
freelance writer
Question
Salaam;
Do you think, Muslims will suffer more after the riot & ordinary people who are mostly non-Muslims will think negatively against Muslims & Islam?
Answer
Despite all, we are in a State of Law. These incidents even violent are means of expression.
As for the representation, the change will depend of Muslims themselves. We can not expect how they will think about us.
Name
Adel
- Belgium
Profession
Question
I am sorry to say that your answers are repeated and have nothing new till now but I can understand that situation is not clear for many so please tell us as a third generation French citizen not as an expert or thinker how do you read the events in France on its cultural , economic and political level ? The second question do you think what is happening now can be considered a reaction against the idea of the EU after the French voting against the EU constitution? The third and the final issue: do think that the attitude of those angry youth in France will move and spread to other countries in Europe?
Answer
These events are like an alarm towards the local authorities. Regarding to the death of 2 young people, the official version escaped policemen. However, policemen must protect them not kill them.
This reflects the crisis between the State representatives and the young people. So, they have to create atmosphere of confidence by introducing proximity police in order to create a link between policemen and people.
Romano Prodi expressed preoccupation because such social problems exist in Italy. We hope that the riots will end here in France and that politicians will resolve such problems.
