Samuel Paty Tragedy Encourages Islamic Discourse in France

The beheading of a teacher in Paris revived the discourse on Islam that adhered to French values, after being heavily criticized by the Muslim community, including by al-Azhar. "As a Muslim and Sheikh al-Azhar, I declare that Islam, its teachings and its Prophet are not guilty of terrorist heinous crimes," said Sheikh al-Tayeb referring to the incident of Samuel Paty's beheading on Friday (16/10/2020). Sheikh al-Tayeb read this condemnation statement when addressing Christian, Jewish and Buddhist religious leaders, including Pope Francis and the Grand Rabbi of France, Haim Korsia. Launching Deutsche Welle on Wednesday (21/10/2020) they met face to face virtually on the Capitolino Hill, Rome, Italy, for a declaration of peace. Sheikh al-Tayeb also warned against speech that denigrates the beliefs of others. "At the same time I emphasize that insulting religion and attacks on its sacred symbols under the banner of freedom of expression are an intellectual double standard and an open invitation to hatred," said Sheikh al-Azhar.

47 year old Samuel Paty was murdered by an 18 year old young man from Chechnya. At that time the victim was on his way home from teaching at a junior high school in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, not far from the capital Paris. Paty is seen as insulting Islam when showing Charlie Hebdo's cotton drawings of the Prophet Muhammad to his students. Not happy with the action, Abdullakh Anzorov, killed him by beheading, then uploaded a photo of the victim's body on Twitter, before then he himself died in a shootout with police. The French Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin, announced that he had arrested 16 people, including a radical cleric and 4 members of the Anzorov family. According to Darmanin, the ustad and Abdullakh's father had previously issued a death fatwa against the victim. "These terrorists do not represent the religion brought by the Prophet Muhammad, similar to the terrorists in New Zealand who killed Muslims in mosques who do not represent the religion of Jesus," said Sheikh al-Tayeb. Last September Al-Azhar itself criticized Charlie Hebdo's editorial decision in its special edition to republish cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. The special edition was launched at the opening of the terror attack trial against his office in Paris in 2015.

The loyalty of an imam For Hassan Chalghoumi, an imam at a mosque in Drancy on the outskirts of Paris, Samuel Paty is a "martyr" for freedom of expression. Chalghoumi invited mosques in France to hold a prayer together for the teacher during Friday services at the weekend. Chalghoumi was met by Reuters when he visited the scene while accompanied by other Islamic figures. He warned that it is time for Muslims in the world to realize the dangers of religious extremism. "Paty is a martyr for freedom of expression, and a figure who is wise and teaches tolerance, civilization and mutual respect between people," said the man who is also the Imam of the French Conference, a joint forum of Islamic leaders from across the country. "Chancellors of mosques, imams, parents, non-governmental organizations, be aware, our future is at stake," he added.

Hassan Chalghoumi is a controversial figure among French Muslims who often clashes with ultra-conservatives. His biggest rival is Abdelhakim Sefrioui, a radical imam who has also produced a video that has been incessantly accusing Samuel Paty of committing blasphemy of Islam. Sefrioui was once suspected of trying to kick Chalghoumi out of his mosque in Drancy. Since the incident, Chalghoumi admitted to having received death threats and his reasons for being under police protection. Chalghoumi is among the priests who are loyal to the state. He called on Muslims to "end the discourse of victimization". "We all have the same rights in France, like everyone else. Parents must inform their children about all the good things that exist in this republic, "he said.

Enlightenment Islam A figure like Chalghoumi has become a key actor in the French government's efforts to combat radical ideas among Muslim citizens. President Emmanuel Macron explained the concept about two weeks ago, in a state speech in Paris. He invited the Muslim community to carry out Islamic teachings in accordance with the "values of the republic." Macron claims the government has sat down with the largest Islamic institutions in France to formulate an "Islamic Enlightenment" that can live "in peace with the republic." In his speech, the president explained in detail the policies that will be or have been taken. Apart from holding an imam training program, the government will also intensify law enforcement against house schools and limit the influence of foreign countries on French Muslims. Macron's speech drew criticism from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In a video message for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit on Wednesday (21/10/2020), he called Macron's French Islamic concept an attempt to discredit Islam. "Those who are disturbed by the rise of Islam attack our religion using a crisis they created themselves," Erdogan said. According to him, the religious discourse that is being rolled out by the French government is "anti-Islamic". "Anti-Muslim policies are the most profitable tool for western politicians to hide their failures," the Turkish president concluded. Macron is reportedly now under pressure from opposition parties. The leader of the right populist party, Marine Le Pen, who is predicted to compete again in the 2022 presidential election, has urged the government in Paris to implement the Martial Law and stop the flow of migration.

The two top French political figures are currently competing tightly in every presidential election poll. The French Islamic concept which was initiated by the government is also considered problematic, because it violates the principle of secularism which prohibits state interference with religion. H. A. Hellyer, British Middle East researcher, considered the discourse has political value. In his latest article for the journal Foreign Policy, Hellyer assesses Macron's breakthrough for moderate Islam is actually a political attempt to curb the maneuvers of Le Pen who are fond of "blaming Muslims for all problems in France."

Source: https://www.kompas.com/global/read/2020/10/22/105803170/tragedi-samuel-paty-dorong-diskursus-islam-di-perancis?page=all.