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KOMPAS.com – French President Emmanuel Macron is trying to ease his tensions with Muslims around the world.
To a television channel based in Qatar, Al jazeera, who understood that the cartoons of Prophet Muhammad could cause a stir.
The violence has occurred in France after the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo republished cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in early September.
The reissue sparked an attack in front of the former Charlie Hebdo offices. TRT world, Sunday (01/11/2020).
In mid-November, a teacher in Paris was beheaded for showing cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad to students in class.
Also read: Cartoon prophet Muhammad protests, Sudanese artist rejects France award
More recently, an attack took place in Nice on Thursday (10/29/2020) that killed three people and one of the victims was reportedly beheaded.
Muslims objected to the publication of the cartoon because it was considered provocative and insulting.
France has been even more shocked after an Orthodox priest was shot in the city of Lyon on Saturday (10/31/2020).
The Greek priest was shot in the heart at point-blank range and was taken to hospital in critical condition.
The Lyon prosecutor said a suspect was arrested Saturday night with an unclear motive for the attack.
Also Read: French President Clarifies Cartoon Statement Of Prophet Muhammad
Soft tone
Macron sparked protests across the Muslim world after issuing statements that he did not prohibit the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.
The statement was issued after a teacher named Samuel Paty was beheaded in Paris.
In an effort to appease Muslims, Macron presented his views in a lengthy interview with Al jazeera.
He tried to express his opinions in a softer tone during the interview.
“I can understand that people may be surprised by the letter (from Prophet Muhammad), but I will never accept that the violence is justified,” Macron said.
Also read: New attack in France, Orthodox priest shot in the city of Lyon
He also understood the feelings and respect for Muslims when the cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad were published.
“But I want them to understand the role that I have. My role is to calm things down, as I am doing here, but at the same time it is to protect these rights,” Macron continued.
“I will always defend in my country the freedom to speak, write, think, draw,” added Macron.
Also read: The French president understands that Muslims are angry with the cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad
Macron also criticized the “distortion” of world political leaders by the cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.
He said that people were led to believe that the cartoon was made by the French government. When in fact the cartoon was made by Charlie Hebdo.
“Confusion has been fueled by many media, and at times political and religious leaders, to say that these cartoons are a project or creation of the French government or president,” Macron said.
He also criticized calls to boycott French products in a Muslim-majority country, and was specifically endorsed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Also read: Friends for 30 years tell about victims of attacks in the French church
Macron added that the boycott of French products was “unworthy” and “unacceptable.”
He said the boycott campaign was deliberately created and instigated by various private groups taking advantage of the momentum.
Even before the attack on Paty, Macron had promised a formidable new campaign against radicalism in France.
The latest protests denouncing France broke out on Friday (10/30/2020) in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Mali, Mauritania and Lebanon.
Also read: 3 suspects in attacks on French churches arrested, police investigate links with perpetrators
