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Guide2 Midi-Pyrenees Blog. Use this to blog on your experiences of living in or visiting the Midi-Pyrenees region of south west France. Be controversial if you wish, but please refrain from using improper language and remember to treat other members with respect.
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Racism in the Midi-Pyrenees
Last month, a mosque in Casrtes, Tarn, was targeted by vandals, who daubed swastikas and "Sieg Heil" on its exterior walls. They also hung pigs heads and trotters on the door.
Last week a similar thing happened in Paris.
France has the largest Islamic community in Europe, estimated at around five to six million. The trouble is being blamed on a National debate which is taking place about French National Identity. The banning of Burkas has also brought Islam into the mainstream.
Has anybody seen any trouble? Do you agree with the protesters?
I understand the increasing anger and fear of terrorism and I believe this is partly to blame for attacks like this, but the majority of muslims live in peace and contribute to the the areas they live in.
It is only the radicals that want to cause trouble, but their terrorism gives fascists, racists and the like an excuse to carry out this kind of attack
Is the anti-Islamic feeling growing in the Midi-Pyrenees?
Last month, a mosque in Casrtes, Tarn, was targeted by vandals, who daubed swastikas and "Sieg Heil" on its exterior walls. They also hung pigs heads and trotters on the door.
Last week a similar thing happened in Paris, with slogans such as "Islam get out of Europe" and "France is for the French".
France has the largest Islamic community in Europe, estimated at around five to six million. The trouble is being blamed on a National debate which is taking place about French National Identity. The banning of Burkas has also brought Islam into the mainstream.
Has anybody seen any trouble? Do you agree with the protesters anger if not their methods?
I understand the increasing anger and fear of terrorism and I believe this is partly to blame for inciting attacks like this, but the majority of muslims live in peace and contribute to the the areas they live in.
It is only the radicals that want to cause trouble, but their terrorism and hate preaching, gives fascists, racists and the like an excuse to carry out this kind of attack.
I can't say I have noticed anything in the area that I live, but it is very rural and to be honest the majority of people here are white Europeans.
Maybe the problem is more obvious in bigger towns and cities like Toulouse.
The attacks must be condemned and the vandals brought to book. If it is just left to fade away, the silent majority of Muslims will see that as the state agreeing with the vandals. Where do you go from there? As far as I can see it would just spiral into even more trouble.
The problem must be tackled head on and quickly, but unfortunately, that is unlikely to happen with politicians who would rather just talk about what they could do rather than getting on with it, in case they upset someone and they don't get voted back in again.
Posted by: MyGuide2 Admin on 04 February 2010
Comments
Re: Racism in the Midi-Pyrenees
If the law is approved, I can see radical groups using it as an excuse to claim that Muslims are being singled out and it may lead to more unrest.
Re: Racism in the Midi-Pyrenees
SNCF is state owned and the official line is too blame "local officials". But where did the local officials get the posters from?
This can only add to the tension and dispute over racism in France.
Living in rural France, I can't say that I have come across racism, but then we don't see many immigrants - except us Brits of course!!
It will be interesting to see how this develops and if it spreads to the more rural areas of France.
Re: Racism in the Midi-Pyrenees
If a women wants to wear a burka, why can't they? I expect the majority do not have the choice and that is the problem. Banning anything is by definition a removal of someones freedom of choice and is attacking a symptom, not the problem.
Re: Racism in the Midi-Pyrenees
Like many others, the French do not like having things forced upon them, but unlike some other countries the French are not afraid to protest loudly and prominently. Remember the setting fire of sheep during the lamb disputes with the UK and the frequent blockades of ports by fishermen?
The actions of the past few weeks attacking mosques is not acceptable, but I think it is a small minority, exactly as we have in the UK and the Germans have, among others. The National debate and burka issue has just reignited the issue and given them an excuse.
I disagree totally with the burka and as far as I am concerned, if a country has a law that bans them then the muslims must either respect that law, face the consequences for ignoring it or leave. The muslims community is very quick to demand that we respect their religious rights and traditions but often refuse to respect a countries laws if it does not fit in with their beliefs. That can't be right.
Live in a country - then respect its laws.