France's secularism shift targets Muslims
The article critically examines the transformation in the concept of secularism in France, where it has shifted from protecting freedom of conscience and separating religion from the state to becoming a tool for narrowing Islamic identity and targeting Muslims, through repeated political and media discourse. It explains that historical secularism was centered around the permissible space for religious beliefs and practices, whereas the new secularism extends beyond that to monitor the public sphere and define the identities of citizens, especially Muslims. This is often achieved through propaganda and media exaggeration. The author links this shift to colonial history and political exploitation, emphasizing the need for institutional reform and individual critical thinking to resist the dominance of a single narrative. He affirms that secularism should remain a framework ensuring freedom and equality, rather than being used as a means of control or criminalization.
Notice: This Is an AI-Generated Summary
Comments (0)