Tariq Ramadan on the French Riots
Published by Haseeb November 15th, 2005 in Current NewsThere is no doubt that violence is not a solution and that the destruction of buses and cars must end. These crimes must be punished. There is also no doubt that a certain number of youth are descending into pure vandalism and uncontrolled anarchy. Naturally, reestablishing order is of critical importance, especially for the residents of the suburbs, who are bearing the brunt of the violence….
This revolt has nothing to do with Islam. Islam, as a religion, has been established in France for a long time, and the religious question has been resolved in this country. Islam does not threaten France’s future in any way. But it is the social question that poses a true danger to the unity of the republic. Politicians across the political spectrum have underestimated this reality. They stick their heads in the sand and mislead their constituents by attempting to denounce Islam as the source of the problem….
The concepts of unity and equality, which are idealized to the point of excess in France’s political rhetoric, are nothing but myths and blatant lies at the social level. The main purpose of the public debates over Islam, integration and immigration is to stir up fear. In a sense, politicians use these debates as ideological strategies, as a way to avoid confronting reality….
The truth is that certain French citizens are treated as second-class citizens, if not the leprous members of the national community. Their children are sent to ghetto schools and taught by inexperienced teachers, they are crammed into inhumane public housing developments, and they are confronted with an essentially closed job market. In short, they live in a bleak, devastated universe. France is disintegrating before our eyes into socioeconomic communities, into territorial and social apartheid. The rich live in their own ghettoes. Institutionalized racism is a daily reality.
Read the entire interview with Dr. Ramadan on the riots and Muslim integration throughout Europe here
see this right here is why nobody wants muslims immigrating to their country. I’m muslim and i’m disgusted by this ‘ramadan’s’ comments. ’some’ youth are descending into pure vandalism??? how about ALL youth burning cars are descending into pure vandalism???!! As usual, just gloss over the responsibility and blame it on the social system. These ‘ghetto housing projects’ are absolute luxury condominiums compared to nyc ghettos and 5 star hotels compared to north african and arab alternatives …they are also funded by the state, along with food, rent, etc. Of course there is racism, but dont forget about personal responsibility. damn i hate these talking heads
I am not sure to follow you. According to you, French of foreign origin do not have to complain because our living conditions are better than those of the ghettos of New York. A joke in that case there, it is tasteless. I was born in France and nevertheless I do not smell French, my brothers and sisters either. We are not represented to the parliament, no journalists of colors on the television. As regards to the employment, a man or a woman of foreign origin has 10 times less luck to find some work by having making a success of her higher education, that’s right the reality.
Let us speak now about accommodations which are for the greater part unhealthy, we park foreigners in squalid towers dating 1960’s and we isolate them, that also it is the reality. Saddened to disappoint you but the life is difficult in France even if ‘ there are helps of the State, which for my part are inferior and do not allow to live suitably. The foreign community (with Moslem majority) is shown by finger, when we tried to open the dialogue with the government we did not listen to us. It is regrettable that it is necessary to burn cars to be heard or understood. The unemployment touches too many young people of previous history foreigner notably of Black Africa, North Africa as well as the Indo-Pakistani community, it is for it that there were confusions in France.
It is also a short the bowl to be to control 10 times a day because we are too matt of skin. To end, France is a country within which the foundations of the Republic are not respected. There is two France regrettably, that of the whites and ours !! Not need to live in New York to live in difficult conditions even dreadful !!!
As a general rule, we try to refrain from giving his opinion onto a subject which we do not know. You should come to spend some time in France (in the suburbs) to make you an opinion.
I am sorry for the faults I do not speak English fluently.
Nadia from France and my origins are Algerian
Salam ailikoum
Walaikumaslaam. I concur with you sister Nadia. The opinions of brother “sosa” are only his own, and I definitely dont agree with him on this matter. Of course I do not justify the violent riots, but I do understand the plight of the French Muslims, and agree with Dr. Ramadan’s assessment of the situation.
Haseeb, you should be a judge, a newsreporter or a PR person. “In other news, we do not agree with the statements made by person X and on the contrary feel that men and women having navels is a completely positive attribute, this is supported by Dr. Zizmore and I concur with him.” Just kidding. I know this is an incredibly serious issue but i couldnt resist poking fun at Haseeb. Its all in jest bro.
alrite sorry i shouldn’t have opinionated like that. HOWEVER, it still doesn’t explain burning cars or hurting innocent people. sorry, thats my opinion. where i come from, you shouldn’t pass opinions on situations you don’t know about…and you also shouldn’t burn down someone else’s property.
stop editing posts you friggin barrel!