On Friday, Samuel Paty, a 47-year old secondary school teacher, was beheaded in Conflans Saint-Honorine. The assailant, who was an 18-year-old Chechen refugee, was shot dead by police forces near the location of the incident. Police officials say that the horrific crime was in response to a classroom discussion conducted by Paty in which he displayed cartoons of Prophet Muhammad.
Following the activity, several Muslim parents complained against Paty to the school’s administration, as physical depictions of the Prophet are considered to be offensive in Islam. One of the parents initiated an online campaign against Paty’s actions and even disclosed the victim’s name and address.
Paty’s death attracted criticism by several French leaders and the French public. Numerous cities across France, including Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and Bordeaux, witnessed large-scale demonstrations, wherein the protestors came out in support of the deceased teacher. Consequently, an anti-terror investigation has been initiated by French authorities to investigate the incident.
French President Emmanuel Macron, during his visit to the Bois d’Aulne school, where Paty worked as a history teacher, said, “One of our citizens was assassinated tonight because he was a teacher, because he taught students about the liberty of expression, the liberty to believe or not to believe.” He added, “Our country man was the victim of a cowardly attack. The victim of an Islamist terrorist attack.” French Prime Minister Jean Castex, who was also a part of the demonstrations in Paris, tweeted, “You do not scare us. We are not afraid. You will not divide us. We are France!”
Several other leaders from across the political spectrum, along with representatives of associations and trade unions, have come out condemning the attack. Jean-Michel Blanquer, France’s Minister of Education, also expressed their dismay with the incident and said that he would work with the government “in support of teachers, secularism, freedom of expression and against Islamism.” He also said that the authorities would take “appropriate” measures to address the attack with students, parents and teachers.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attack as well, and extended her condolences to the victim and his family. Chechnya’s leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, issued similar remarks, expressing his strong opposition to terrorism. He said, “It is not the first time when France attempts to blame Chechens for all her problems. Let me assure you that Chechens are not a part of them.”
On Sunday, France’s Finance Minister suggested the introduction of reforms to curb and regulate the financing of Islamist organisations. This shortly followed an announcement by Macron, wherein he proposed major reforms to attack Islamic separatism, which he believed created a “parallel society outside the values of the French Republic.”
Calls to Crack Down on Islamist Associations in France Following Beheading Incident
On Friday, Samuel Paty, a 47-year old secondary school teacher, was beheaded in Conflans Saint-Honorine. The incdient led to widespread protests across France.
October 19, 2020
SOURCE: CNN