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Boycotts of French products have started in several countries in the Middle East and the Muslim world following the statements of French President Emmanuel Macro. French products have been recalled from some stores in Kuwait, Jordan and Qatar. There have also been protests in Libya, Syria and the Gaza Strip.
The boycott is spreading from the Middle East to the Muslim world.
The country has called on Middle Eastern countries not to boycott French products. Previously, Macro had offered to show cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The French Foreign Ministry says the boycott was described as “unfounded” by extremist minorities.
The backlash came after Macro’s comments about the murder of a teacher after a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was displayed in the classroom.
The president said that “the teacher named Samuel Patty was assassinated because the Islamists want our future”, but France “will not stop our cartoons.”
The reason why the paintings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) have become a source of serious objections to Muslims is that according to Islamic tradition, the making of images of Muhammad (PBUH) and Allah is strictly forbidden.
But part of the national identity in France is secularism or “laceite”. Reducing freedom of expression to protect the sentiments of a particular community is said to reduce national unity.
On Sunday, Macro tweeted in support of French values, saying “we will never give it up.”
The political leaders of Turkey and Pakistan have lashed out at Macro, accusing him of not respecting “freedom of belief” and of cornering millions of Muslims in France.
On Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he needed “psychiatric treatment” to change Macro’s view on Islam.
The country summoned the French ambassador to Turkey for a similar comment on Saturday.
How far has the boycott gone?
The French products were removed from the shelves of many stores in Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait on Sunday. Hair and beauty products made in France are not on display.
A major Kuwaiti retail union has announced a boycott of French products.
The Private Union of Consumer Cooperative Societies says it made the decision due to “repeated disrespect” for Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
In a statement, the French Foreign Ministry acknowledged the decision and said: “This call for a boycott is unfounded and must be immediately rescinded. All attacks on our country by extremist minorities must be stopped.”
Several Arab countries, like Saudi Arabia, are calling for such boycotts online.
The hashtag has become the second hottest topic in Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest economy, with a boycott of the French supermarket chain “Cafou.”
Meanwhile, small anti-French demonstrations have also occurred in areas controlled by the Turkish-backed armed forces in Libya, Gaza, and northern Syria.
How did France get involved in this debate?
Macro’s stance against extremism in the name of Islam and in favor of French secularism has enraged many in the Muslim world since Patti’s assassination.
Turkish President Erdogan said in a statement: “What happens to people like Macro about Islam and Muslims?”
Meanwhile, Pakistani leader Imran Khan accused the French leader of “attacking Islam without realizing it.”
“President Macro has hurt the feelings of Muslims in Europe and around the world,” he said in a tweet.
Earlier this month, before the teacher’s assassination, Macro announced plans to enact stricter laws in France to curb “Muslim separatists.”
Referring to Islam as a “crisis” religion, he said that around 6 million Muslims in France were thinking of creating a “counter-society.”
France has a dark political history of portraying the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Twelve members of the French satirical magazine Shirley Abdor were killed in an attack after their cartoon was published in 2015.
The Muslim community in Western Europe has accused Macro of trying to suppress their religion and of running the risk of legitimizing Islamophobia.
Source: BBC
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