Attentats | Le Regard Libre

Label: Attacks

Philosophy

The right to blasphemy: a counterproductive concept

written by Antoine-Frédéric Bernhard

LONG FORMAT ARTICLE, Antoine Bernhard | During the «Charlie Hebdo» massacre and the recent attack in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, a theme invaded the political and media scene, especially in France: the «right to blasphemy». Its defenders invoke it in the name of secularism and freedom of expression, while Islamists use it as yet another reason to hate France and the West. Admittedly, the formula is effective. But what about its relevance?

Switzerland

Mohamed Hamdaoui: «Teachers must be given the opportunity to speak out».»

By Jonas Follonier · November 26, 2020

LONG FORM INTERVIEW, Jonas Follonier | He's one of Switzerland's leading politicians in the fight against Islamism. Even if he doesn't like the word «combat» (he prefers the word «cause»), Mohamed Hamdaoui has made it one of his priority themes, making himself a highly committed player in the debate, even if it means over-emotionalizing. His background no doubt has something to do with it: born in the Hoggar, this Tuareg loved a woman who, in the 1980s, was kidnapped by Algerian Islamists because she refused to wear the veil. These sowers of terror beheaded her. The murder in France of Professor Samuel Paty by a radicalized Muslim using the same modus operandi shook him to the core. Interview with a former socialist turned PDC, who doesn't consider Switzerland immune to political Islam.