Macron's Clarification On Islam: Main Victims Of Terrorism, Distorted Extremism, And His Efforts To Protect Muslims

JAKARTA - French President Emmanuel Macron returned to the mass media. Macron said he understood that many Muslims were shocked by the cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad. However, he was never able to accept that this justified violence. Macron also clarified many things regarding his views on Islam.

The French leader spoke to Al Jazeera in an interview released Saturday, October 31. On that occasion Macron clarified his views on global Islamic life.

It is important for him that everyone understands his position in the polemic that sparked the murder of a French history teacher, Samuel Paty. "I understand and respect that we can be surprised by this caricature," Macron was quoted as saying Monday, November 2.

"I will never accept that we can justify physical violence for this caricature and I will always defend in my country the freedom to say, write, think, draw," he added.

Macron also reiterated that the French press was free to publish what it wanted. And what is released, said Macron, is not the government's authority.

"But does the President think this right should be revoked? The answer is no. Because it is the right of the French people."

Turkey previously led a boycott of French goods in Muslim countries. Macron also highlighted this by saying that a number of parties had deliberately distorted their attitudes with lies in the last few days.

The boycott was carried out by many Muslim-majority countries after Macron said in a speech that "Islam is in crisis." Macron also vowed to take new steps to combat Islamic radicalism in his country.

The statement was made by Macron after Samuel Paty's beheading case on October 16. The history-geography teacher was murdered after showing caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad in a lesson on freedom of expression.

Macron's comments have sparked anti-French protests in Muslim-majority countries and a boycott of French products. Three attacks since then have occurred, including a deadly knife attack on a church in Nice.

"I've seen too many people in the last few days say unacceptable things about France, corroborate all the lies that have been said about us, about what I have said and secretly be the worst accomplices."

France, he said, is not fighting Islam, but its radicalism. "Today, in the name of Islam and by distorting this religion, violent extremists are doing their worst."

Macron also reviewed his note that the majority of victims of terrorism over the past four decades have been Muslim. And Macron stressed the recently announced measures were also aimed at protecting French citizens who are Muslim.

In addition, Macron explained the steps against Islamic radicalism that he meant, including limiting Imams from training abroad, encouraging greater transparency of religious funding, to regulating various requirements related to "homeschooling."

"Everywhere these last weeks in the Muslim world, we are trying to put the two together, by twisting my words, by lying, by saying the President of the French Republic and thus France, they have a problem with Islam. No, we have no problem. with Islam. Nothing. "