The French cabinet has passed a new law to curb Islamic extremism. However, there is already controversy that this is being brought to target Muslims.
According to the BBC, the law is seen as part of French President Emmanuel Macho’s secular values policy.
Strict measures have been taken in this law to prevent hate speech. In addition, Islamic education has been tightened at home.
Schooling has been made compulsory only when children are three years old. Domestic education cannot be given without any special reason. This measure has been taken to close the ‘undisclosed’ school of learning strict discipline.
Another section of the law states that every mosque must be officially registered so that they can be easily identified. Foreign funds will not be banned from the mosque, but it must be announced if it exceeds 10,000 euros.
The ban on religious dress in government offices has also been extended to markets, swimming pools and transport workers. Through this, more restrictions were imposed on women wearing hijab.
According to Al Jazeera, France is bringing in legislation to increase surveillance of mosques, associations, government offices and schools. However, no word ‘Islam’ or ‘Muslim’ was mentioned in the 50-section law.
The prime minister of France, Jean Castex, said in a statement that the anti-Muslim law had already been debated. This law is not against any religion. It will free Muslims from extremism.
In the next few months, French lawmakers will debate the law in a session of parliament. It is expected that it will pass in the end.
A history teacher was assassinated by Muslim extremists in October after discussing satirical cartoons of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) with students. Then the French government took a strong anti-Muslim stance.❐
