The Wall Street Journal Laments Gains of Islamic Organizations

Culture Clash: Muslim Groups May Gain Strength from French Riots

“These groups (Islamic Organizations-Editor) do not preach violence, but they advocate something that is troubling Europe’s secular democracies: that Muslims should identify themselves with their religion rather than as citizen.

The riots “are a blessing for them because it gives them the role of intermediary”, says Gilles Kepel, a scholar who has studied and written extensively about the rise of Islam in France. That in turn puts them in stronger position on “to force concessions from the state”, such as demanding a repeal of the law France passed last year banning headscarves from public schools, he says.

John Carreyrou

The Wall Street Journal

November 7, 2005.