Comments on: Video: Full Episode

By: Stinger

Stinger — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:33:15 +0000

Hi,
My main question would be why the other 25 recommendations by the French Commission weren’t accepted and only the headscarf ban was enforced?

The French Republic and its laws should be respected by all French citizens no matter what their faith. The main challenge is that these laws shouldn’t discriminate against any one group of people. With all the energy and debate put into this one topic, if the same energy was placed in fixing the soci-economic problems faced by minorities, France would have made major headway in alleviating all these problems.

At the root of these problems is a lack of understanding between people. Muslim majority nations never needed to overthrow corrupt religious leaders who were in seats of power because it was often these leaders who were persecuted by the Political leadership. There is a strong theme of Republicanism in Islamic teachings, to not accept corrupt leadership. Therefore, there is more common ground between French and Islamic cultures than people may think, this talk about civil-war is dangerous and counter-productive.

By: Pamela Chin

Pamela Chin — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:08:33 +0000

As an immigrant in the US, I know and have felt discrimination from the majority. However, I also realize that I am living in a country with established customs and culture. Who am I to try and change this? Education is key…if however, your culture does not value education above religious beliefs, then of course you will have problems. Don’t blame French society for your failings. Like the teacher in the program, he is a moderate muslim because he was highly educated and was able to find a decent job. Education leads to a respectable profession. Having a respectable profession will lead to a higher standard of living & respect. That is how the world works, regardless of what country you live in the world. I have a feeling that if these muslims were living in an Islamic country, their livelihoods wouldn’t be much different than what they are now in France, if not worse.

By: Tariq Mahmood

Tariq Mahmood — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:31:09 +0000

Europe has a justified reason to fear the advent of Islam into the continent. For over one millinnium they felt besieged by Muslim powers to east and south of Europe. Even thogh most of the Muslims have been colonies or under plain control of European powers. They owever were scared not for any reason.

With advent of globalisation, development of technology and uprooting of large sections of Muslims due to wars and internal disturbances Muslims in increasing numbers are migrating to Europe and North America, areas that are safer than ther own hmelands. This phenonmenon introduces ew dimensions to the social fabric and cultural fabric of Europe and North America.
The change brings in its wake raections of varying degrees. Europeans feel threatened. They feel soon they would be over whelmed by alien cultures.

The tension can be eased if the two groups try to know each other. This can possibly be done by getting closer together. Familiarity does not breed contempt alone; it also develops understanding and mutual confidence.

False propaganda from the two sides should be kept low.