Churches and mosques impacted by French uprisings
-08/11/05
As the streets riots that
Churches and mosques impacted by French uprisings
-08/11/05
As the streets riots that began primarily among young migrants in Paris 12 days ago spread across the country, at least two churches and a number of mosques have been impacted by the continuing wave of unrest.
One church in the town of Sete in the south of France, and another in the town of Lens in the north, were attacked over the weekend.
Last week a tear gas bomb was also thrown into a Parisien mosque during prayer time. Other religious buildings have had windows and facilities smashed.
Lens is located in Pas-de-Calais, the French ëdepartementí geographically closest to Britain, raising awareness of the possible further geographical spread of what some argue is growing lawlessness and others interpret as an uprising against social and racial exclusion.
Today the French government announced a ëstate of emergencyí resurrection of curfew powers contained within 50-year-old legislation to try to contain violence which has so far resulted in one death, several injuries, 340 arrests and 1,200 burnt cars.
The law was originally designed to combat violence in Algeria in its war of independence against France from 1954-1962. It was also used in New Caledonia in 1985.
Civil liberties groups are concerned that containment should not become a means of repression, something liable to worsen the problem in the long run.
The initial outburst of anger in the capital has subsequently developed into a nationwide display of disdain towards the local and national authorities, high unemployment, poor housing and racial and religious discrimination.
The French government is now openly acknowledging that social inclusion and regeneration will need to be key components of a strategy of redress aimed at tackling root causes.
But those close to the African, Arab and other migrant communities at the epicentre of the disturbances say that a more fundamental change of heart is needed ñ with many calling for the resignation of interior minister Nicolas Sarkozy, whose public insults have proved so inflammatory.
In France there is reckoned to be a combined African, Arab and Asian population of 6 million, some 10 per cent of the total. Parallels are being drawn with the exclusion and degradation experienced by black communities in New Orleans, USA.
In theory the French model of citizenship promotes rigorous equality. In practice, however, those who apply for jobs and have Arab names are five times less likely to get a response compared to those with ëFrenchí appellations. The unemployment and homelessness rates among Arabs are three times the national average.
Some Muslims, Jews and Christians also complain that the form of secularism promoted by the state is anti-religious rather than neutral towards religion. This has caused anger among the young.
Meanwhile the nationalist and racist right is keen to exploit public concern at the security situation in order to propagate anti-immigration policies.
Conservative commentators are also dismissing the social justice agenda and are instead blaming the troubles on a ëvictim mentalityí among migrants.
[Also on Ekklesia: Religion and secular state face change, says French Protestant]
Churches and mosques impacted by French uprisings
-08/11/05
As the streets riots that began primarily among young migrants in Paris 12 days ago spread across the country, at least two churches and a number of mosques have been impacted by the continuing wave of unrest.
One church in the town of Sete in the south of France, and another in the town of Lens in the north, were attacked over the weekend.
Last week a tear gas bomb was also thrown into a Parisien mosque during prayer time. Other religious buildings have had windows and facilities smashed.
Lens is located in Pas-de-Calais, the French ëdepartement’ geographically closest to Britain, raising awareness of the possible further geographical spread of what some argue is growing lawlessness and others interpret as an uprising against social and racial exclusion.
Today the French government announced a ëstate of emergency’ resurrection of curfew powers contained within 50-year-old legislation to try to contain violence which has so far resulted in one death, several injuries, 340 arrests and 1,200 burnt cars.
The law was originally designed to combat violence in Algeria in its war of independence against France from 1954-1962. It was also used in New Caledonia in 1985.
Civil liberties groups are concerned that containment should not become a means of repression, something liable to worsen the problem in the long run.
The initial outburst of anger in the capital has subsequently developed into a nationwide display of disdain towards the local and national authorities, high unemployment, poor housing and racial and religious discrimination.
The French government is now openly acknowledging that social inclusion and regeneration will need to be key components of a strategy of redress aimed at tackling root causes.
But those close to the African, Arab and other migrant communities at the epicentre of the disturbances say that a more fundamental change of heart is needed – with many calling for the resignation of interior minister Nicolas Sarkozy, whose public insults have proved so inflammatory.
In France there is reckoned to be a combined African, Arab and Asian population of 6 million, some 10 per cent of the total. Parallels are being drawn with the exclusion and degradation experienced by black communities in New Orleans, USA.
In theory the French model of citizenship promotes rigorous equality. In practice, however, those who apply for jobs and have Arab names are five times less likely to get a response compared to those with ëFrench’ appellations. The unemployment and homelessness rates among Arabs are three times the national average.
Some Muslims, Jews and Christians also complain that the form of secularism promoted by the state is anti-religious rather than neutral towards religion. This has caused anger among the young.
Meanwhile the nationalist and racist right is keen to exploit public concern at the security situation in order to propagate anti-immigration policies.
Conservative commentators are also dismissing the social justice agenda and are instead blaming the troubles on a ëvictim mentality’ among migrants.
[Also on Ekklesia: Religion and secular state face change, says French Protestant]