Comments: The corrosive division in France

A selection of comments sent to us in response to Soumaya Ghannoushi’s article The corrosive division in France.

This is just a defensive article for the Muslim world. What about the illiteracy among the French Muslims (and Muslims in general)? What about the lack of integration into the main society (which also applies to Muslims in other parts of the world)?

Yes, it was perfectly right for the French government to introduce the removal of religious scarves in the schools – better late than never. Hope the future generations of Muslims will learn to live in peace through this experience.

John, Canada

The explanation of the recent events in France is simple: the French were silly enough to believe that they could keep so many poor immigrants in the outskirts of their big cities.

Erik, Russia

Muslims need to look in the mirror, and stop acting in a way that brings hatred and disgust upon themselves and their religion.

I have seen too many terrorist acts in the last year, all perpetrated by Muslims. No wonder French people do not hire them!

Mark Wiseman, USA

Every country has problems. We have to ask ourselves, what country is better in handling this? I feel, America has a better system in dealing with problems you describe.

Michael Denton, Guam, USA

As a black American, I watched the violence in France and asked myself, where is France‘s Reverend Dr King?  If he exists, why has he not got more media support?  Where are the Christians in Catholic France who should be advocating for equality for all? Be assured, were it not for determined activist Christians, blacks in the United States would not be where we are today.

Dorcas Bethel, USA

It is not the fault of the French, since the same scenario takes place all over Europe.

Sons of poor Third World immigrants are alienated, both from their old-fashioned, dogmatic parents who never understood them, and the society that never gave them a chance.

It is all utterly predictable, and utterly inevitable. That is why Third World immigration into Europe is a bad idea. Those rioters would be better off in a poor country that respects them, than in a rich country that does not.

Klaus Ammitzboll, Denmark

As a coloured person, I was treated like a second-class citizen in France during my travels regardless of my educational and professional background.

Kamal Hussain, UK

What is so wrong with a country insists that people living on its soil should share its values? Can a nation exist without this? You do not really analyse this question. For example, can my country be expected to accept people who do not respect its laws?

Anthony Baldwin, Australia

The recent decision to impose curfew is certainely the worst of all solutions. It will increase frustration. But why don’t you suggest a tentative approach?

Paul Girod, Switzerland

Source: Al Jazeera