Weekly Discussion: Islamophobia in French Law

KSM Diplomacy Studies

On Friday, 16th of April 2021, the internal division of KSM Diplomacy Studies, UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta, held a weekly discussions with the topic "Islamophobia in French Law". The selection of this discussion topic was motivated by France’s controversial “separatism” bill which became the international community’s attention. We also discussed about the past issues that indicated as an action of discriminating muslim, and the murder of Samuel Paty, a French high school teacher, who used caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad as a learning material.

The discussion began with a video showing the situation of Muslims in facing the separatism law issued by the French government, then followed by an explanation of cases ranging from what is Islamophobia, the French state and the values adopted by the country, the case of the murder of Samuel Paty, french law timeline, Muslims’ point of view on the current situation, case analysis, and conclusion of the discussion.

Through this discussion, the conclusions that can be drawn based on the case of the murder of Samuel Paty that reflects religious fanaticism or radical Islam, it is equitable for the French Government to issue the “separatism law” (if it is to anticipate other undesirable threats). Moreover, the majority of French people are not muslim, so the fear and insecurity must arise and it is a must for the French Government to make sure their people feel safe. But, on the other hand, France as a secular country which is neutral in seeing religion coexist along the state is considered to be contradicting the values adopted by the country in its actions in issuing policies such as closing mosques, prohibiting Muslim associations and the use of religious attributes. By issuing policies that restrict religious activities and religious values, it shows a contradiction to fundamental freedoms. These policies also appear to be Islamophobic and also discriminatory so that these policies cannot be categorized as the right policy to be issued.