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French Weeklies 17 december 2017

Religion and its changing place in French and Saudi society but also the growing popularity of exorcism in France are among the topics you can read about in the French weeklies

Revue de presse des hebdomadaires
Revue de presse des hebdomadaires DR
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Le Point is very interested in Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who could, it says, "change everything" in the Middle East.

The magazine wonders if the 32-year-old prince of the land that is home to Islam's two holiest sites can not only change relations in the Middle East but also the religion. Women are now allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia and he has promised to destroy extremist religious ideas.

L'Obs asks if secularism, enshrined in French law in 1905, can still prevail in places such as schools, hospitals and in the workplace.

The French government does not finance any faith and religious beliefs are seen as personal and not something to be spread in public. However, over the last few years the number of people proudly sporting marks of religious affiliation has grown, the magazine says.

It attempts to figure out where exactly Emmanuel Marcon stands on the question. The French president has avoided voicing a specific opinion on this increasingly uncomfortable topic.Some politicians have been accused of using the law to exclude some faiths, Islam in particular. Macron is understandably treading carefully.

It also seems that some of the more unusual activities of the Catholic church are making a comeback here in France.Apparently hundreds of exorcists are regularly called upon to help save souls, protect people from the devil and, more importantly, ease minds.

Marianne this week is taking a look at this revival of an ancient practice, which it finds has gained momentum at a time when terrorist attacks have become not such an unsual occurance in France.

Johnny and cigarettes

One personality the French weeklies are still following religiously is Johnny Halliday, who is on the cover of l'Express, where pages and pages of articles and photos depict the life of the French rocker.

One opinion piece is entitled "Johhny, tobacco and our children".

Hallyday died following a battle with lung cancer and the author sternly reminds us that one in three French people will get cancer at some point in their lives and that its development will be favoured by smoking. Tobacco is linked to six to eight million deaths a year worldwide and even Hallyday, who had access to most up-to-date treatment, couldn't be saved.

Animals in circuses

L'Express is also asking "Will there still be Christmas circuses?"

Animal rights activists are campaigning harder than ever to stop the use of wild animals in the shows that attract 14 million people in France each year.

The debate was re-ignited after a tiger was shot dead on a Paris street, after having escaped from a circus.

Circus troupes realise that what they see as a tradition that should be preserved is under threat. However, deep-rooted family rivalries are getting in the way of them forming a united front.

The article also accuses some animal rights activists of a certain form of racism when they refer to circus folk as "carnis".

L'Express concludes that perhaps the gradual removal of animals from circus shows would be the wisest option and would give all sides time to adapt.

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