Dangers of extremism: Now is not the time for persecution, recrimination and sowing of divisions

Now is not the time for persecution, recrimination and sowing of divisions

The heinous murder of a French teacher last week, by an 18- year- old, has sent shockwaves of revulsion across Europe. There can be no justification by any rational person that allows for the brutal decapitation of Samuel Paty. The 47year teacherwas singled out by his killer andmurdered, in front of his preparatory school, in the ConflansSainte- Honorine suburb north of Paris. The targeted attack has been widely condemned in France, Europe and across the world.

Paty’s killer was shot dead by police and, since then, some 15 people have been detained by authorities investigating the attack and messages of support posted in support of this sickening act. Many of those swept up in raids were already in police files for showing “signals” of potential radicalisation.

First and foremost, there can be no room for extremismand violent acts anywhere in theworld. Such actions run contrary to tolerance and principles of open societies. The slain teacher is to be posthumously awarded France’s highest honour and tens of thousands have taken to rallies in the country to condemn his murder and decry the extremismthat brought about his killings.

But the violent act has once again provided an opportunity for those in the far right of French society who fan Islamophobia. For too long, those on the right have been guilty of Islamophobia and extremism — evils no different than the extremism that led to Paty’s murder. The recent history of France has been pockmarked with examples of extremism, but it has also shown a remarkable ability to heal, forgive, and call for openness and equality for all.

There is no easy path forward in France, in the EU or elsewhere, when forces of darkness are only too willing to take root in ignorance, in creed, colour or inequality. The glory of French society is its diversity, its embrace of differences, its acceptance of people from every corner of the Francophone and beyond.

Now, in the wake of Paty’s murder, the challenge is for all to accept — the coronavirus pandemic is indeed a very current example — society and communities can endure and overcome by working together.

Now is not the time to sowdivision, it is a time to heal and find harmony. Now is not the time for recriminations, it is a time to bring the perpetrators and extremists to justice. And now is not the time to persecute.