French weekly magazine review 14 August 2016
French weekly Marianne questions where the state has failed when it comes to losing French youth to jihad, L'Express reports that fear against Muslims is on the rise amongst Catholics and Le Monde Magazine sits down with the man behind Melania Trump's latest scandal.
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Why are France's youth leaving for jihad?
Weekly magazine Marianne has dedicated its cover story to a profile of Mourad Hamyd, the 18-year-old brother-in-law of Cherif Kouachi, who carried out the January 2015 attacks at the magazine Charlie Hebdo.
Hamyd was suspected to be involved in the January 2015 attacks, but had maintained his innocence. Last week, however, he was found in Bulgaria, on the road to jihad. The magazine points to Hamyd as an example of the country’s failure to steer at-risk youth away from jihadism.
Senator Nathalie Goulet, head of the Commission of Inquiry on Jihadist Networks stated last week that cases like Hamyd’s are not likely to ease fears amongst the public. The magazine notes that 65 per cent of French citizens believe President Hollande hasn’t done enough to implement ‘all necessary means to fight against the threat of terrorism.’
Hamyd repeatedly proclaimed his innocence following the January 2015 attacks, denouncing the events. He was suspected of acting as a driver to the Kouachi brothers.
At the time, Hamyd received strong support from his classmates, who mobilised to create a placard stating ‘Mourad is innocent,’ in white letters with a black background, resembling the ubiquitous “Je Suis Charlie” posters.
Marianne asserts that cases like Hamyd’s are further proof that stronger policies must be implemented to respond to the increasing terror threat, which they don’t see coming from Hollande any time soon.
Increasing fear against Muslims amongst practising Catholics
The right wing magazine L’Express has referred to a study published in Le Monde yesterday conducted by the French Public Opinion Institute, which reveals that fear against Muslims amongst practising Catholics is rising.
When asked if they saw Muslims as a ‘threat to the identity of the country’ 55 per cent responded yes in 2016 compared to 47 percent in 2012.
The study, conducted over four years, also revealed that opposition to the construction of mosques in France has increased from 40 percent in 2012 to 55 percent in 2016.
The study has been published just weeks after an attack in Normandy, in which a man claiming allegiance to the Islamic State armed group beheaded a priest. Following the attack, Catholics and Muslims across the country joined together to show their solidarity for coexistence between the Catholic and Muslim communities.
The poll also showed increasing dislike for the headscarf, with 67 per cent seeing it as highly unfavorable for girls to be allowed to wear the headscarf in public schools.
Can France legally ban the burkini?
Women's dress continues to be a heated topic across the country, after the mayor of Cannes issued an ordinance attempting to ban the burkini on the city's beaches, stating the swimwear goes against the country's morals and secularism.
Le Nouvel Observateur reports that the Collective Against Islamaphobia In France has indicated its intention to appeal the decision.
A further analysis by the magazine reveals that the ban is, in fact, illegal. In October 2010, the country introduced a law banning veils that conceal the face.
The burkini, however, does not violate any legislation.
A French photographer profits from Melania Trump's nude photos
Le Monde Magazine has dedicated one of its cover features to an interview with French photographer Ale de Basseville, who recently sold a series of nude photos of potential future first lady Melania Trump to the New York Post.
When asked why he chose to sell the photos to the post, de Basseville slyly replied by saying the photos were 'a reason to believe' in Ms. Trump, citing her as 'a potential first lady like you've never seen.'
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