Protesters lash out at Macron

Angry demonstrators, religious leaders demand apology from French president over support of blasphemous cartoons

With anger on the rise over blasphemous sketches of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and French President Emmanuel Macron's comments on the matter, protests erupted in the metropolis on Wednesday, while religious scholars voiced their alarm as well.

Anger has grown in the Muslim world over Macron's remarks in a row over blasphemous cartoons. The current dispute has its roots in a knife attack outside a French school on October 16, where a man of Chechen origin beheaded Samuel Paty, a teacher who had shown pupils the cartoons in a civics lesson on freedom of speech.

France has allowed displays of the cartoons, while Macron paid tribute to Paty, describing him as a "quiet hero" dedicated to instilling France's democratic values.

In response, the Jamaat-e-Islami staged a protest at Teen Talwar, with scores of protesters brandishing banners and placards, shouting slogans against France and burning an effigy of the French president to express their distress.

Addressing the protest, JI Karachi chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman called out the leaders of Muslim countries for their hesitance in condemning France and Europe for their blasphemy. "Prime Minister Imran Khan should announce the boycott of French products in Pakistan and send the French envoy back to his country, while the blasphemous sketches should be declared an act of terrorism," he maintained.

Stating that France and Europe refused to respect the Holy Prophet (PBUH), Naeem said the protesters had gathered to express their love and respect for him, and to protect his honour.

Later, the protesters marched towards the French consulate, where a JI delegation led by MPA Syed Abdur Rasheed presented a memorandum demanding an apology from Macron to the Muslim community.

Later talking to the media, Rasheed said the memorandum clearly gave the message that such blasphemy would not be tolerated, adding that no French diplomats would be allowed to stay at the consulate until Macron offered an apology.

Meanwhile, Ruet-e-Hilal Committee chairperson Mufti Muneebur Rehman termed the publication of the blasphemous sketches in France and its support from Macron 'alarming' and a cause of mental and emotional distress for the Muslim community.

Addressing a press conference, he voiced appreciation for the Pakistani government and politicians for making resolutions and statements against the matter, but added that practical moves were also needed and had not yet been made.

He stated that the government should exile the French envoy in Pakistan in protest, rather than merely issuing a notification to the French ambassador.

Moreover, he claimed, the court in the European Union (EU) had stated two years ago that disrespecting anything held sacred by a religion was not part of freedom of expression. "The issue should be raised internationally with the EU and the United Nations," he insisted. "If the Organisation of Islamic Countries cannot do anything, Pakistan should come forward and hold an international conference of foreign ministers.

He, too, called for the boycott of French products.

Lawyers boycott court

Sindh's legal fraternity, too, expressed its dismay by boycotting court proceedings, with hearings suspended in the Sindh High Court, city courts, anti-terrorism courts and other courts on the appeal of lawyers' associations.

Going on strike on the call of the Sindh High Court Bar Association and Karachi Bar Association, lawyers held a rally at MA Jinnah Road, carrying out a symbolic sit-in. They further called an emergency meeting to work out a plan of action against the publication of blasphemous sketches.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29^th, 2020.