Environmentalist terrorists and the blind French authorities...

Do we need to rethink what constitutes terrorism acts based on the ideology and cause behind the acts? 

Following the tragic death of 21-year-old environmental activist Rémi Fraisse in a police grenade blast on the construction site of a dam in the early hours of Sunday 26^th of October 2014, I could not help but notice the hypocrisy of local and national officials who seem to understand the demands and frustrations (because their demands are not met when carried out through regular channels) expressed in these violent acts.

I believe that the level of violence displayed by this group of activists is close to acts of terrorism. Indeed, police task forces who were sent to protect the construction sites where heavy machinery was kept “were attacked by the violent group of activists (approx. a hundred activists) who were throwing Molotov cocktails, pyrotechnic devices and stones from outside the construction site, on the fence and inside the site”[1] stated Claude Déren, prosecutor of the Republic. Consequently, these activists had planned their attack of the construction site, they had come prepared (Molotov cocktails can’t be made out of thin air) and where determined to seriously jeopardise further developments in the construction of the dam… and their own lives.

After hearing these activists explain the necessity to resort to violent forms of protest on France Info, it was undeniable that their action that night was indeed planned. The fact that the government, local and regional authorities are unable to see that the actions planned and carried out by this group of activist are, according to French law[2], terrorist acts is simply baffling. But what is even more outrageous and surreal is that they are excusing these terrorist acts and that the police forces end up being held responsible and under legal examination. How is it possible that police forces end up being accused by the violent activists, who initiated the violence[3], of extreme and violent implementation of security measures? I mean… who are the criminals here? 

 

I wonder what would have been the reaction of government officials if these activists had a different ideology and cause. What if the police had killed a young Kader while he was expressing his frustration at the soaring unemployment statistics and the consequent lack of social mobility with a group of violent activists representing one or several civil society organisations? Would he be considered a ‘terrorist’? Based on what? His name? His skin colour? His presumed religion? His presumed social and economic background?

All I know is that, in France, some environmentalists have been intentionally and purposefully using violent means for a while now (in 2013, violent and lasting actions were documented in Notre-Dame-des-Landes but did not cause any death) and that nobody seem to equate their actions with terrorism… Why aren’t they? Why aren’t they condemn for using violent forms of protest? Is it because they are violent for the environment, a cause that would make they struggle more friendly? But then, we would need to redefine terrorism and allow violent means of actions for all causes, wouldn’t we?

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[1] Les forces de l’ordre, qui avaient pour mission de protéger l’aire de stockage des engins de chantier, «ont été attaquées en règle par le groupe de manifestants violents, approximativement une centaine, qui jetaient des cocktails Molotov, des engins pyrotechniques et des pierres sur le grillage et à l’intérieur, depuis l’extérieur», a rapporté le procureur. http://www.20minutes.fr/societe/1468843-20141027-barrage-sivens-sait-circonstances-mort-remi-fraisse

[2] Code pénal (art. 421.1) « Constituent des actes de terrorisme, lorsqu'elles sont (L n°96-647 du 22 juillet 1996) « intentionnellement » en relation avec une entreprise individuelle ou collective ayant pour but de troubler gravement l'ordre public par l'intimidation ou la terreur les actes suivants : les atteintes à la vie… les vols, les destructions, les dégradations et détériorations ainsi que les infractions en matière informatique…, la fabrication ou la détention de machines. (art. 421.2) Constitue également…le fait d'introduire dans l'atmosphère… (art. 421.3) Constitue également…le fait de participer à un groupement formé ou à une entente établie en vue de la préparation, caractérisée par un ou plusieurs faits matériels, d'un des actes de terrorisme mentionné aux articles précédents.

[3] Refer to the following article commenting a video footage captured by an activist on the afternoon of Saturday 25^th of October 2014  http://www.liberation.fr/societe/2014/10/28/sivens-une-video-montre-des-affrontements-qui-ont-precede-la-mort-de-remi-fraisse_1131187 or go directly to the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n4BWYNcFrk#t=311

Is going 'unmosqued' the solution to the internal problems and blockages of Western Muslim communities?

Reaction to my experience within Muslim communities in the UK and France, and to the Unmosqued documentary showing the disenchantment of Muslims in the West. 

Regarding the problems within communities that see their members leaving the mosques and remain 'unmosqued', it does sadden me to realise that Muslims in the West are not committed to reaching their potential because of internal problems and blockages preventing dialogue, respect, tolerance, understanding and unity between themselves. I realise it has also a lot to do with the weak nature of humankind, which affect the ideas and behaviours of those among Muslims who do not have truly positive aspirations for their community because their desire for power (even at local levels), their greed, envy and self-conceit prevent them from pursuing honourable objectives such as rallying Muslims and working together for the development, reinforcement and safeguard of open-minded, kind, happy, faithful and active communities of Western Muslims. 

Internal disputes and disagreements should not mean we are enemies, yet it is what I see happening within many Muslim communities, who end up imploding from within because they are unable to dialogue and work together. Sadly, when considering the weaknesses of human nature coupled with the many possible readings of Islam put forth by various groups and their general persisting rigidity towards those who hold different readings and approaches to what really matters, the issue seems unsolvable. This lack of desire to return to, and apply, the fundamental principles and values of Islam; but also this lack of openness to simplicity and alleviation of some practices that are no longer needed in many Western countries with Muslim minorities because it already existing legal, social and political frameworks that are not always contradictory to Islam and might very well be new positive models for Muslims to build on (but who will defend such ideas publicly without fear of being attacked, without facing strong discredit?); and finally, in many cases the lack of spirituality, this missing deep connection to the Almighty, are key issues. 

Frankly, I see no easy and straightforward solutions to these internal problems, and I doubt going 'unmosqued' will solve anything, it may very well aggravate an already highly problematic lack of trustworthy, transparent, accountable, gender inclusive and proactive leaderships who seek a fair level representativeness, are not scared or worried to interact with the media, with other institutions (social and political) and with other religions, and who strive for all Muslims to live and work together.

I should not forget to mention that Muslims men and women at lower levels, active and non-active members of communities, increasingly lack of interest and involvement in the communities to initiate positive change - as if the individualistic culture of the West had fully taken over the hearts and minds of Western Muslims who no longer desire to get involve because they do not want to voice and defend their positions and needs, and consider it is easier to stay away, and keep themselves to their homes in the closed family circles rather than be opened to the challenge and get involved with a community to generate unifying and potentially transforming community-building projects. 

It is alarming to see that Islam cannot unify as much as ethnicity or language at local levels. This is not what I have learnt from the Prophet (sws)... when are we going to wake up? 

Converting to a new lifestyle...

... need for respect or understanding?

So many times I have been asked about why I chose to become Muslim. Regardless of my answer, many people were still very much puzzled about my decision, or worse they would not mind displaying contempt toward my decision and call me stupid by merely saying things like: "But you are such an intelligent person..." Yes, they are calling me stupid yet praising me at the same time, but that is contempt fulled by fear and lack of respect. 

Converting is nothing easy, and for me it is not just people who change their religion that may be faced with these sorts of attitudes. I have notice that many friends who have decided to adopt a different lifestyle, out of the culturally accepted mainstream lifestyle are just being looked up and down, questioned and finally condemned. 

When I converted I face a lot of difficult criticism from family and friends, I lost friends and I gained new ones. When I decided to start a healthier lifestyle, same. Working out 5 days a week and looking after your general diet and food intakes is just as ostracizing as following a different religion. Indeed, your life changes, you acquire new interests, habits, vocabulary, etc. It is as though you enter a subculture, a new reality, a microcosm.

Why is it that people are so judgmental and patronizing about others' decisions? Telling you that you do not know what you are doing and that they know better what is best? I guess the simplest answer is a mixture of toxic ego and disrespect. Why should we have to respect something that does not make sense to us? Why? 

That made me ponder about whether it is respect or understanding that should come first. Shall we respect anyone that does not follow the same lifestyle as us? Shall we judge and dismiss people who do not think like us? When do we have to respect and what does it mean to respect without understanding? 

As a convert Muslim I often felt that regardless of whether or not they understand my lifestyle, people should respect my choice and not make unpleasant allusions and intolerant jokes about it. I felt the same when I decided to workout and eat healthier foods. 

I know a lot of people who choose not to drink alcohol, not to eat junk foods or go vegetarian, vegan or fruitarian etc. go through a get deal of rebuking when others discover their newly or old formed habits. One person's logic is not another's person logic. What works for someone may very well be another person's nightmare. So do we really need to "understand" others in order to respect them?