Outrage against French President Emmanuel Macron continues to grow in the Muslim world after his remarks on Islam last week. Last week Macron said Islam was in “crisis”, defending the controversial cartoon on Prophet Mohammed.
On Tuesday Saudi Arabia condemned the publication of “offensive” cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed but stopped short of calling for action against France.
Tension escalated after French teacher Samuel Paty was beheaded on October 16 near his school for showing caricatures of Prophet Muhammad to his students. Riyadh condemned terrorist acts, in a reference to Paty’s death.
Last week, the cartoons were projected onto government buildings in France.
Many Muslim leaders and influencers have joined the call for boycott of French products to protest french leader’s action.
“I am calling on the people, do not go near French goods, do not buy them,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday during a speech in the capital Ankara. “European leaders must say ‘stop’ to Macron and his campaign of hatred.”
In Qatar, shoppers said they supported the decision by some retailers to withdraw French products from their shelves. Many shops have removed French products following Al Meera, One of the largest supermarket chain in the country.
Qatar University also said that it was postponing its French Cultural Week indefinitely.
In response to the growing backlash Macron tweeted that “We will not give in, ever”. The French leader has put up the statement in Arabic, targetting the West Asian community.
Hundreds of Muslims in Palestine and Bangladesh have staged a protest against French President Emmanuel Macron.
Iran’s foreign ministry summoned the French charge d’affaires over Macron’s comments regarding Islam and Muslims.
Some world leaders have criticised Macron’s treatment of Islam, while many in Europe stand by him.
