Building structures for prayer is not the responsibility of a city, it is the responsibility of those who choose to worship!
The political climate in France is currently pretty heated with their upcoming Presidential elections and the growing concern with the Muslim population – specifically refugees. With issues of terrorism plaguing countries around the world almost indiscriminately, large numbers of the population in many of the targeted areas have taken a tough stance where refugees are concerned. This has caused a huge rift between Muslim communities within France and fellow community members.
Just like the United States, France deals with issues regarding political correctness. It can be pretty easy for minority groups to play the race or religion card when decisions are made that are not in their favor. Sadly, this actually happens quite a bit all over the world, and I suspect it happens a lot in France.
Recently, Muslims took to the streets of Paris to protest the lack of mosques by praying in the streets. France’s conservative Presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has taken a stance against street prayers before. While this has caused controversy, there is nothing to be accomplished by using prayer as a tool to accomplish political goals or as a means to an end.
One point that was made by a leader of the Muslim group protesting in France was that a shortage of mosques can cause Muslims to turn radicalized. Say, what? That sounds an awful lot like a threat. Why would religious leaders need to mention that if France doesn’t provide Muslims with mosques then those Muslims are going to become terrorists? I wouldn’t budge an inch if someone presented that argument to me. Using that tactic to negotiate is cause for concern in itself.
The Muslims were offered a building to use for their gatherings that was made available last year specifically for Muslims to gather and pray. However, this doesn’t seem to be good enough because it’s in an office block that is no longer in use and not an extravagant structure. The protestors also claim that the building is too remote. The same leader who spoke on radicalization also said the designated building that was offered is simply an old office building that someone threw rugs down in. Again, I have to wonder exactly what these groups of Muslims expect when the whole nature of prayer doesn’t require that a person possess earthly riches. Furthermore, instead of solving the problem of mosque shortages on their own, these groups are demanding that someone provide them with a space to practice their religion. I don’t see how that is anyone’s job other than those who choose to worship.
To me, this is alarming for a few different reasons. I always thought that prayer was supposed to be peaceful and personal. A time where those of faith speak with their respective God and seek harmonious balance and peace within themselves. So why would anyone feel that it is appropriate to use prayer as a means of protest? That completely takes away the whole spirit of prayer and what it is all about. Religion should be peaceful and free from politics. It’s not about sticking up a middle finger to “the man,” or woman in this case.
Angelina Newsom is an OpsLens Contributor and U.S. Army Veteran. She has ten years experience in the military, including a deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. She studies Criminal Justice and is still active within the military community.
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