Pakistan witnesses massive anti-France demonstration, creates tension
Islamabad: Anti-France protests in Pakistan continued as members of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) on Sunday marched from Liaquat Bagh Rawalpindi to Faizabad in Islamabad to protest against the publication of "blasphemous" sketches in the European nation that was hit by terror incidents in recent months.
Reacting to the situation caused by the march, Roohan Ahmed, a reporter with Samaa TV, tweeted: "Faizabad, one of the main entrances to Islamabad, has once again been blocked by thousands of Tehreek-e-Labbaik protesters. They are protesting against publication of blasphemous caricatures in France. Clashes between police & TLP men reported in Rawalpindi and Faizabad."
Faizabad, one of the main entrances to Islamabad, has once again been blocked by thousands of Tehreek-e-Labbaik protesters. They are protesting against publication of blasphemous caricatures in France. Clashes between police & TLP men reported in Rawalpindi and Faizabad.
— Roohan Ahmed (@Roohan2Ahmed) November 15, 2020
The rally created tension in the country.
Journalist IA Rajpoot tweeted: ".... situation is tense. TLP mob staging sit in at Faizabad Bridge and there are unconfirmed reports that MOI will extend MS suspension or had extended."
For far situation is tense. TLP mob staging sit in at Faizabad Bridge and there are unconfirmed reports that MOI will extend MS suspension or had extended https://t.co/SOS58PuMvQ
— IA Rajpoot (@ia_rajpoot) November 15, 2020
Pakistani correspondent of The New York Times Salman Masood tweeted: "Any other example in the world where people block their own roads, suspend their own mobile networks, clash with their own police, burn and damage their own public property to protest something that has happened in another country? "
Any other example in the world where people block their own roads, suspend their own mobile networks, clash with their own police, burn and damage their own public property to protest something that has happened in another country?
— Salman Masood (@salmanmasood) November 16, 2020
Macron Factor:
Leaders of several Muslim countries have come down heavily on the French President for his efforts to keep his country free from Islamist terror as Macron faces one of the toughest challenges of his Presidency.
"Our challenge is to fight against those who go off the rails in the name of religion … while protecting those who believe in Islam and are full citizens of the republic," Macron said on October 2, hinting at a new law that will be presented in December.
"Islam is a religion which is experiencing a crisis today, all over the world," he had said in his speech while emphasing on the need to free Islam in France from foreign influences as he suggested a move to stop Imams from getting trained abroad and cracking down on religious funding.
He clearly spelt out, a reported in media, that "associations would have to sign a contract respecting 'the Republic's values' in order to obtain subsidies."
What went on deaf ears was his words on not targetting those who "believe in Islam and are full citizens of our Republic."
A fortnight later, a history teacher, 47-year-old Samuel Paty was beheaded in Paris for showing a caricature of Prophet Mohammad during a discussion on free speech.
Macron was essentially targetting this fanaticism from Islamists, but became a target himself, thus exposing the double standards of the Muslim world.
On October 29, another Islamist terror struck France, claiming the lives of three people, incluidng the beheading of one.
The attacker, a knife-wielding man, was heard shouting 'Allahu-Akbar' multiple times while he was being nabbed by law enforcement officials.
Any sane individual with an iota of shame would call it a heinous crime, but not former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
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