Islamic countries start a boycott campaign against French products
Protest against the French President’s statement ‘Islam is in crisis all over the world today’
Understand that Islamic countries protest unitedly against any criticism of Islamic fundamentalism.
However, when Hindus are criticised for no reason by the world, there is no protest from the Government of India !
Paris (France) – ‘#BoycottFrenchProducts’ is trending in various Islamic countries to protest against the strict stand taken against the Islamic fundamentalists in France. This has led to stopping of French products in many Islamic countries.
French President Emmanuel Macron had said that ‘Islam is a religion that is in crisis all over the world today’. This led to a protest. Earlier, a religious fanatic had beheaded a teacher in France for showing 2 caricatures of Muhammad published in satirical magazine ‘Charlie Hebdo’. Islamic organisations were then asked to close down a mosque in Paris. In the backdrop of these incidents, Islamic countries are boycotting French products.
On the other side, the French Government is also gaining support from people. #WeSupportFrance is trending against the Islamic move. Questions such as ‘What is wrong in fighting against terrorism ?’, ‘Why to boycott ?’ have been asked on Twitter along with these Hashtags.
We will never give in, ever ! :
French President Emmanuel Macron
Responding to the protests, Mr. Macron tweeted – ‘We will not give in, ever. We respect all differences in a spirit of peace. We do not accept hate speech and defend reasonable debate. We will always be on the side of human dignity and universal values’.
Islamic countries oppose France publicly
There has been a massive outcry from many Islamic countries against France. They have written a formal letter stating, ‘Macron’s attack on Islam reveals intolerance and hatred, which is shameful for the Head of a country like France’. Tawakkol Karman, a prominent Yemeni human rights activist and Nobel Peace Laureate also sent a letter in defence of Islam. French products have been boycotted by large supermarkets in some Arab countries.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticised Macron and suggested, ‘French President needed ‘some sort of mental treatment’ over his attitude towards Muslims in France’.
French President’s office replied to the criticism stating, ‘After discussions, it will be decided if political relations with Turkey should cease or we should recall the French Ambassador permanently. (India can learn a lot from a country like France which takes such a strong stand. – Editor)