Via Paola Bacchetta
FRANCE: This meeting against Islamophobia which took place last evening in the St. Denis banlieue of Paris was a beautiful enactment of solidarity (see below). It was organized by over 80 groups, including community organizations, Muslim, left, feminist, Jewish, Catholic, workers, at least 2 political parties (PIR and CP), civil rights, anti-hate-crime, and decolonial groups. Over 500 people attended. I felt deeply touched by all the presentations without exception. But I was perhaps especially moved by the voices and analyses of my feminist friends: Ismahane Chouder, Hanane Karimi, Michele Sibony, and more. Hanane’s talk brought me to tears. I will post the links to the talks as soon as they’re ready. (Sorry they will be only in French).
Unfortunately the meeting was a controversial event. It had been denounced in advance by a whole range of (white) left groups and (white) feminists. One of the latter, the leader of a well-known group, published a piece stating that she finds it to be an insult to hold a meeting against Islamophobia the same week as International Women’s Day. Really? How is it that International Women’s Day belongs to you alone? Really? 80% of reported Islamophobic crimes today are against women. How is it that those targeted- Muslim women and women who are “presumed to be Muslim” (présumées musulmanes) – are not women? Are Muslim women and women who are “presumed to be Muslim” animals? Plants? This meeting was especially necessary as the atmosphere of Islamophobic hate and violence has intensified immensely in the post-Charlie period.
Feminism here is now so split by Islamophobia – and other issues such as the very existence of transgender people – that tomorrow there are two different demonstrations to celebrate March 8 International Women’s Day in Paris… I hope to see my friends at Belleville, the site of the desegregated demonstration which is open to all including my veiled sisters and trans siblings.
More as it happens….