Islam Not A Threat To Secularism: French Orientalist
- From: "MUSLIMS ARE GOOD FOLKS" <a.muslim.with.mission@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 6 Oct 2009 21:08:49 +0200
Islam Not A Threat To Secularism: French Orientalist
By Hadi Yahmid, IOL Correspondent
PARIS, September 30 (IslamOnline.net) - Islam does not pose a threat to
secularism and French Muslims are taking initiatives in coping with the
country's secular laws, French orientalist Bruno Etienne maintained.
Speaking to IslamOnline.net, he said that France's five million Muslims, a
recognized minority, are expected to comply with the country's secularism,
which is rather a positive challenge for them.
Etienne praised moderate Muslim youths and activists, like Tareq Ramadan,
"for their earnest efforts in understanding and explaining true Islam, which
will definitely play a key role in drawing up the future picture of Islam in
Europe."
Ramadan is professor of philosophy and Islamic studies in Geneva College and
one of the leading writers on the future of Islam and Muslims in the West,
particularly Europe.
"These youths do realize that they are living in Europe and have to get by
in a way that does not run counter to their religion," Etienne said.
The French orientalist cited polygamy as a case in point.
"Muslims in Europe have tackled the controversial issue of polygamy in
accordance with the Qur'an and relevant French laws prohibiting it.
"They said a man can marry up to four women if he can treat them all
equally. And we, as Muslims living in Europe, are expected to respect French
laws as we do with our religion, so let's be committed to one wife," Etienne
quoted Muslims as saying based on the belief they could not treat more that
one wife on equal footing.
No Radicalism
Etienne also denied that French Muslim youths were adopting radical views
and that after the 9-11 attacks the French people developed poor opinion of
Muslims.
"A public opinion survey I made showed that the French people did not change
their views about Islam after the September attacks. They got bored with
extremist views but not with Islam," he asserted.
The French orientalist further voiced his opposition to a law banning hijab
in state schools.
"We have to admit that there are some problems that emerged due to
misunderstandings of religion. For instance, Muslim girls refuse to attend
certain classes because they consider them against their religious beliefs.
In a nutshell, Hijab is not the problem," he said.
The issue of hijab has recently sparked much controversy in France, with
French Social Affairs Minister Francois Fillon voicing support for a bill
forbidding "the ostentatious wearing of any religious sings in schools."
French Premier Jean-Pierre Raffarin, himself, did not rule out passing a law
to ban Muslim girls from wearing hijab in schools.
French President Jacques Chirac set up a commission in July to rule on
whether new legislation was needed to handle a growing debate over religion
in schools, particularly Muslim schoolgirls wearing hijab.
It is expected to submit its report to Chirac by the end of this year after
questioning other ministers and representatives of French non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) and various syndicates.
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2003-09/30/article08.shtml
By Hadi Yahmid, IOL Correspondent
PARIS, September 30 (IslamOnline.net) - Islam does not pose a threat to
secularism and French Muslims are taking initiatives in coping with the
country's secular laws, French orientalist Bruno Etienne maintained.
Speaking to IslamOnline.net, he said that France's five million Muslims, a
recognized minority, are expected to comply with the country's secularism,
which is rather a positive challenge for them.
Etienne praised moderate Muslim youths and activists, like Tareq Ramadan,
"for their earnest efforts in understanding and explaining true Islam, which
will definitely play a key role in drawing up the future picture of Islam in
Europe."
Ramadan is professor of philosophy and Islamic studies in Geneva College and
one of the leading writers on the future of Islam and Muslims in the West,
particularly Europe.
"These youths do realize that they are living in Europe and have to get by
in a way that does not run counter to their religion," Etienne said.
The French orientalist cited polygamy as a case in point.
"Muslims in Europe have tackled the controversial issue of polygamy in
accordance with the Qur'an and relevant French laws prohibiting it.
"They said a man can marry up to four women if he can treat them all
equally. And we, as Muslims living in Europe, are expected to respect French
laws as we do with our religion, so let's be committed to one wife," Etienne
quoted Muslims as saying based on the belief they could not treat more that
one wife on equal footing.
No Radicalism
Etienne also denied that French Muslim youths were adopting radical views
and that after the 9-11 attacks the French people developed poor opinion of
Muslims.
"A public opinion survey I made showed that the French people did not change
their views about Islam after the September attacks. They got bored with
extremist views but not with Islam," he asserted.
The French orientalist further voiced his opposition to a law banning hijab
in state schools.
"We have to admit that there are some problems that emerged due to
misunderstandings of religion. For instance, Muslim girls refuse to attend
certain classes because they consider them against their religious beliefs.
In a nutshell, Hijab is not the problem," he said.
The issue of hijab has recently sparked much controversy in France, with
French Social Affairs Minister Francois Fillon voicing support for a bill
forbidding "the ostentatious wearing of any religious sings in schools."
French Premier Jean-Pierre Raffarin, himself, did not rule out passing a law
to ban Muslim girls from wearing hijab in schools.
French President Jacques Chirac set up a commission in July to rule on
whether new legislation was needed to handle a growing debate over religion
in schools, particularly Muslim schoolgirls wearing hijab.
It is expected to submit its report to Chirac by the end of this year after
questioning other ministers and representatives of French non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) and various syndicates.
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2003-09/30/article08.shtml
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