“Why France?” The question is once again posed.
“Because hundreds of French nationals from Muslim background
went to fight for the Islamic State in Syria.” Comes the usual answer, which
begs the question.
“But why did hundreds of French nationals from Muslim
background go to fight for the Islamic State in Syria?” The follow-up question that
needs to be posed but seldom is.
“Would the attraction of ideology have proven so
irresistible to so many had they been satisfied with their lot at home.” Another
such follow-up question.
Other such questions:
Ideology attracts the repulsed. So why do so many Muslims in
France feel repulsed today? Is Islam, be it as a system of faith or a
repository of identity, still the problem here? Or are there other or
additional factors involved – factors that have more to do with the realities
of life in modern France than religious faith?
Answering these questions call for an open debate involving all,
one that needs to delve much deeper into the issues than the current discourse.
But, and as we seek answers, it is clear that the battle against terrorism has
to be fought on multiple fronts.
Delving deeper into the issues means that pointing out the
extreme nature of French laïcité
as a possible culprit is insufficient, as most of the terrorists involved in
the attacks over the last couple of years did not seem to be practicing Muslims
for most of their lives, and right until they decided to embark on their
fateful course. In other words, they didn’t seem to be particularly offended by
the country’s laïceté. The source and nature of their disenchantment with
French society and polity seems to have its roots elsewhere. We should be
looking for these roots.
But it important to note here that disenchantment came
before radicalization and was conducive to it, because the political system
didn’t seem to offer a legitimate channel to it.
