Quebec premier has message for Muslims after U.S. attack
MONTREAL – When Islamist terrorists strike in the West, it has become standard for political leaders to stress that the actions of a few should not tarnish an entire community. On Thursday, Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard chose a different approach.
Responding to the arrest of Amor Ftouhi of Montreal after a terror assault in Michigan, Couillard said the province’s Muslim community needs to do more to prevent terrorism.
“Unfortunately, you cannot disconnect this type of event — terrorism — from Islam in general,” Couillard said in Quebec City when asked if he was worried the attack would fuel anti-Muslim sentiment. He said he shares the position French President Emmanuel Macron expressed this week in a speech to Muslim community leaders.
“He told them, it’s also your responsibility to act on the theological front, to explain to your people that this (terrorism) is not part of the religion, that it is contrary to the teachings of the religion. There is a dual responsibility,” Couillard said.
His comments came as police combed the Montreal apartment of Ftouhi, a Tunisian-born truck driver and dual citizen who had been living in Canada for 10 years.
A court hearing Wednesday heard that he is 49 years old, married with three children.
On Wednesday morning, Ftouhi is alleged to have yelled “Allahu akbar” — Arabic for “God is great” — and plunged a 30-centimetre knife into the neck of a police officer at Flint’s international airport. The officer, Lt. Jeff Neville, survived what authorities have called a terrorist attack. FBI field director David Gelios said information gathered so far suggests Ftouhi, a married father of three, acted alone and without anyone else knowing of his plans.
Couillard said his government is “completely against” intolerance and discrimination, but there are fears among Quebec Muslims that the latest attack and the premier’s reaction will feed a backlash.
“With remarks like this, saying Islam cannot be disconnected from terrorism, Mr. Couillard is pouring oil on the fire,” said Eve Torres, coordinator of a group that works to integrate Muslim women into Quebec society.