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Several Muslim countries have announced a boycott of French products, in response to comments made by French President Emmanuel Macron on Islam. Earlier in October, he said that France is committed to fight «Islamist separatism», describing Islam as a religion «in crisis».
His comments back the satirical outlets publishing caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed, which led to a wave of anger. On Sunday, Morocco condemned the publishing of «caricatures, insulting Islam and the Prophet», the Foreign Affairs Ministry revealed in a press release.
Without pointing a finger at France and its president, «the Kingdom of Morocco denounced these acts which reflect the immaturity of their authors, and reaffirms that the freedom of some ends where the freedom and beliefs of others begin».
«Freedom of expression cannot, for any reason, justify the insulting provocation and the offense of the Muslim religion, which has more than two billion followers across the world, the ministry points out».
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Morocco
Moreover, Morocco announced that it «condemns all obscurantist and barbaric violence allegedly perpetrated in the name of Islam». «The Kingdom of Morocco stands up against these abusive provocations of the sacredness of the Muslim religion», the same statement read, referring to French teacher Samuel Paty who was murdered by one of his students.
«The Kingdom of Morocco, like other Arab and Muslim countries, calls for stopping stoking resentment and for showing discernment and respect for otherness, as a prerequisite for living together and for a serene dialogue of religions, the ministry underlines», the press release concluded.
Morocco’s position joins that of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which brings together 57 Muslim states, denouncing «the speech of certain French politicians, inciting hatred and serving only partisan political interests».
The condemnation of OIC and Morocco is a blow to the French president who recalled his determination to continue publishing the controversial caricatures. «We will not give up caricatures, drawings», he said in a speech delivered on October 23.
Le Drian and Macron react to the campaign to boycott French products
In addition to international political tension, it is French economic interests that are threatened by the boycott campaign launched against French products in Muslim countries. A threat taken seriously by Paris, which reacted with a statement from the Quai d'Orsay on Sunday, October 25. «These calls distort the positions defended by France in favor of freedom of conscience, freedom of expression, freedom of religion and the refusal of any appeal to hatred», writes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Les appels au boycott de produits français dénaturent les positions défendues par la France en faveur de la liberté de conscience, de la liberté d’expression, de la liberté de religion et du refus de tout appel à la haine.
— France Diplomatie?? (@francediplo) October 25, 2020
Déclaration➡️ https://t.co/lyfkgSCZfn pic.twitter.com/ywe8fBaEnB
«Consequently, the calls for boycott are without any object and must cease immediately, as well as all the attacks directed against our country, instrumentalised by a radical minority», it added.
We will not give in, ever.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 25, 2020
We respect all differences in a spirit of peace. We do not accept hate speech and defend reasonable debate. We will always be on the side of human dignity and universal values.
Emmanuel Macron chose Facebook to send messages in French, English and Arabic to Muslims : «We will not give in, ever. We respect all differences in a spirit of peace. We do not accept hate speech and defend reasonable debate. We will always be on the side of human dignity and universal values».
