Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Opinion
  • News
  • Features
  • Comment
  • Store
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
    • Submit Press Release
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab Stores Targeted
  • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Heritage America resources
    • Directory
      • Groups & Organizations
      • Mosques, Churches
      • Restaurants
      • 2008 & 2014 Arab Media Directories
    • National Arab Heritage Month
    • Video: Chicago Arab History
    • Video: Photo Array of Chicago Arabs
    • Overview of Arabs in America
    • Hanania standup comedy
    • Arabs on the Titanic
    • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Arab Radio Podcast intro
    • Radio Baladi Detroit
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Toggle search form
  • Bavaria non-Alcoholic
    Ziyad Brothers congratulates brewers of Bavaria non-alcoholic beer for receiving international award Business
  • ADALAH confronts racist laws
    Civil Society Organizations to the Israeli Supreme Court: Cancel the Racist Admissions Committees Law Activism
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, announced Tuesday (Sept. 19, 2023) the filing of a lawsuit with a dozen plaintiffs seeking an end to the government’s secret watchlist that almost exclusively targets Muslims for harassment and humiliation when they travel.
    CAIR Announces Lawsuit in D.C., Mass., N.J., Mich. Seeking End to Secret Government Watchlist American Arabs
  • Furquan Ahmed serves as the Wayne County Community College District’s (WCCCD) Senior Vice Chancellor and President of the Northwest Campus.
    AHRC’s Announces its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Awardees American Arabs
  • Congresswoman Debbie Dingell Wikipedia
    Flooding slams Wayne County in Detroit Michigan: Dingell releases statement of support Michigan
  • MBC launches new satellite channel focused on Saudi Culture
    Saudis launch new Satellite TV channel dedicated to Saudi Culture Arab World
  • The names and faces of the 14 Palestinian engaged in an open hunger strike to demand freedom from administrative detention, imprisonment without charge or trial. Graphic by Samidoun. You can join Samidoun's campaign here and find useful resources.
    Palestinians mount hunger strike campaign against administrative detention Arab World
  • “A Call to Conscience: Defending Freedom & Human Rights,” McCormick Place, August 14-18, for the largest, worldwide gathering of global, faith-based, and social change leaders. 
    Largest global interfaith gathering coming to Chicago this week Christian & Muslim
  • State rep. Cyril Nichols, Democrat, 32nd Illinois House District
    Relationship between Arab Americans and African Americans needs more balance, Black State Rep says American Arabs
  • Syropotamia Online Magazine logo
    SYROPOTAMIA online magazine launched to Illuminate Arab American Stories American Arabs
  • Detroit’s true freedom fighters, activist, trailblazer, and leader Rev. Dr. JoAnn Watson who died on July 10, 2023
    AHRC Mourns the passing of Rev. Dr. JoAnn Watson, Freedom Fighter and Detroit Icon American Arabs
  • Abed Ayoub ADC National Director (Aug. 2022)
    ADC launches Arab American Business Advisory Council American Arabs
  • Rev. Jesse L. Jackson celebrates the 35th Anniversary of his 1988 campaign for president, an event which empowered Arab American voters.
    Rev. Jackson to host 35th Anniversary of his historic 1988 candidacy for president American Arabs
  • The grand opening ceremony and special ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Muhammad Ali Park in Detroit was held on Wednesday, June 21 at 12:00 p.m., with H.E. Mr. Meshal Bin Hamad Al Thani, Ambassador of Qatar to the US; Mayor Mike Duggan, Detroit; Mayor Abdallah Hammoud, Dearborn; Mayor Amir Ghalib, Hamtramck; Eric Sabree, Wayne County Treasurer; and a number of civic and religious leaders.  
    AHRC Salutes All Who Made the Muhammad Ali Park in Detroit a Reality  American Arabs
  • Rev. Jesse L. Jackson celebrates the 35th Anniversary of his 1988 campaign for president, an event which empowered Arab American voters.
    Zogby to speak about Jackson’s role in supporting Arab empowerment at Rainbow Push conference July 14-19 American Arabs

Battle of Paris: the French capitol after the ISIS terror attacks

Posted on November 15, 2015June 12, 2019 By Abdennour Toumi No Comments on Battle of Paris: the French capitol after the ISIS terror attacks
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

Loading

By Abdennour Toumi

Abdennour Toumi
Abdennour Toumi

Paris, France — Across the mythical French capital, from Paris’ northeastern banlieue to Republic Square, symbol of liberty and conviviality, a pleasant evening to enjoy.

On Friday the 13th, do you remember eleven months ago, a policeman was shot dead in the street in the eleventh arrondissement before twelve satiric journalists were killed.  On Friday the 13th, Stade de France, Bataclan Hall, tenth, eleventh arrondissements, Voltaire Boulevard, Beaumarchais Boulevard, Friday night, thousands of football fans of different nationalities, ethnic groups and faiths gathered in the Stade de France for a friendly classic match — France vs. Germany.

Across the mythical French capital, from Paris’ northeastern banlieue to Republic Square, symbol of liberty and conviviality, a pleasant evening to enjoy.

France has been facing terrorist tracks for decades but what is interesting, this law-and-order matter becomes a national security issue and questions the geo-political imperatives of France’s MENA defense and foreign policy. Assuredly this tragedy stands as a direct threat to France’s republic values.

ISIS photo
Berlin protests ISIS terrorism in Europe and Paris Photo by Libertinus

The conspirators in this tragedy have been killed either in a suicide explosion or in an assault operation. So Friday night the eyes of the world were fixed on Paris, particularly at the Bataclan concert hall where hundreds of “Eagle of Death Metal” fans gathered to hear the band, leave the stresses of the world and live for the joy of the moment.

But the eagle of death was hovering over the tenth and eleventh arrondissements and innocent souls vanished. Three young men showed up at the concert hall chasing the “devil in hell,” according to their belief, causing panic and horror, and bringing death.  The “ultimate heinous acts” at the Bataclan, tenth, eleventh, Voltaire and Beaumarchais stand-offs can be read as a story-line extension of similar events in Toulouse, March, 2012 and Charlie Hebdo, January, 2015.

terrorism paris photo
Photo by Christiaan Triebert

 

The episode in Toulouse, unlike Charlie Hebdo and the tenth and eleventh arrondissements, can be considered a singular achievement for the French domestic intelligence community. However, it is only an opening chapter for further potentially-serious threats on the home front posed by self-radicalized young Muslims in the West in general.

Thus one has to be cautious not to get caught up in the paranoia of the right-wing fringe and the sensationalist media view of these tragic events as a political statement at large.

The self-radicalization of these youths has become a selling point and an easy media cliche.

Nonetheless, these criminal acts represent a serious menace to domestic security and require increased vigilance on the part of domestic intelligence to deal with such phenomena.

View image | gettyimages.com
People gather and view messages written on the ground at Place de la Republique on November 15, 2015 in Paris, France. As France observes three days of national mourning members of the public continue to pay tribute to the victims of Friday’s deadly attacks. A special service for the families of the victims and survivors is to be held at Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral.

However, to better understand the on-going misperception that has been transforming Western societies and breaking up old colonial systems’ dogma, there are some points to consider. Generic phrases about the neo-Jihadists of ISO hijacked the pluralist political process that was a direct answer and an antidote to their dystopian agenda and their tyrant masters.

Yet these sentiments did not fit with the ignorance of the rejectionist politicians and the disparaging forces in France. This point pushed the majority of public opinion in France, after the Charlie Hebdo tragedy, again into the trap of news headlines that treat such matters as a short-news item.

To this stance both the Westerners and the Arab/Muslims demonstrated their attachment to their inviolable right: free speech and respect. This is why one should not allow the mischaracterization of the ultras to dominate public discussion, whether in the Arab world or among Arab/Muslim communities in France.

View image | gettyimages.com

This would provide a substantial answer to the West, because the Muslims in France and in the West in general have proven their understanding of Western values, and they believe dearly in tolerance and the rules of law and order of the republic. Above all there is a well educated and integrated middle class that has emerged from those dark suburbs that have become a hub for ISO ideology and manpower.

Frankly, when I heard the news on Friday night, I was  with friends a few kilometers away from the Stade de France. I prayed, saying, please don’t tell me the perpetrators behind these events are of Algerian descent. This is not a schizoid reaction on my part, but rather a feeling of deep exasperation, as if each of us has to answer for six million Muslims in France! As if [we] are transcended by a sense of guilt.

Certainly it has been a long weekend for experts and analysts chewing hard on the sentiment of fear, and for [me] hearing them say that there is a radical Islamist taste against French values.

Indeed, consider walking with a kalashnikov, shooting at everything that moves, targeting locations that only someone who lives in Paris knows. Hence the originality of this tragedy is not a classic trademark of terrorist groups in the Middle East.

However, the field of battle has now crossed the line drawn by its enemy, is no longer on the defensive as in e-Re-Qaa, Ain el-Arab/Kobani and el-Mosul, but in the streets of Paris, and this new element of France’s war-on-terror approach post-Charlie, will change the war on the ISO dynamic.

The West’s all-security-and military approach has always been: “We fight them on their terrain rather than in our streets.” The Paris Black Friday tragedy has shown its failure and reveals the determination of a new enemy who has mastered perfectly France’s customs and life style.

How does one know whether a person is actively radical or not? ISO is a supra-national organization, with individuals who are locally involved and know their cities like a gang its neighborhood. These elements have espoused a “nuisance” ideology, are generally disenchanted with the French social order.

So what went wrong? The perpetrators of Paris’ Black Friday, like Kelkal, Merah and the Kouachi brothers, do they want to bring the French Republic to its knees?

For instance, one can sometimes credit the rejectionists’ message for inflaming the French youth of North African descent either by stigmatizing them by name or by calculated public policies aimed at them specifically; or simply by announcing the white color of the French nation and its Gaulois heritage like Ms. Morano declared recently.

Muslims practice their faith in Paris suburbs and across France; Islam is institutionally recognized as the second religion. The French did not discover Islam with Kelkal, Merah and the Kouachi brothers; however, an attack such as this one generates fear because these fanatics reside in countries whose cities maintain law and accountability.

Now, under the state emergency measures, liberty is scarified for security. Further, various Muslim leaders in the various cities are actively calling for “Ejteehad,’ not “Jihad,” in order to stop the sins that are being committed in the name of Islam, either through religious misunderstanding or nationalist romanticism.

In sum, on Friday the 13th, the supra-national terror monster bit its masters hard (Frankenstein syndrome) and buried their narcissistic cult — today, xenophobic politicians, journalists and novelists who have sparked hatred in the name of free speech, win.

Photo by Christiaan Triebert

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Abdennour Toumi
Follow me:
Abdennour Toumi
Abdennour Toumi:
- France correspondent for The Arab Daily News.
- www.bareed-areej.com Editor-in-Chief
رئيس تحرير مجلة بريد الأريج
- Political consultant at IMPR a Think-Tank based in Ankara, Turkey.
- Member at the European Observatory for Arabic Language Teaching based in Paris, France.
- Affiliated with Sociology of Islam Journal and contributor at Middle East Studies / International Studies, Sociology of Islam and Muslim Societies Center, Portland State University in Portland, OR.

EDUCATION: Diplôme des Études Approfondies (DEA) in Political Science from Toulouse University I, France. Master’s degree in Law from Algiers University, Algeria.

Email im at: nourhty@gmail.com
Abdennour Toumi
Follow me:
Latest posts by Abdennour Toumi (see all)
  • The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Is the Neither-Peace-nor-Security As-sumption Dominating Again? - June 7, 2021
  • Algeria: “I Can See Clearly Now” - August 5, 2019
  • Majesty Mohammed VI and General Gaïd Salah Tear Down This Wall! - July 29, 2019

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
Abdennour Toumi, Arab World, Bloggers, Commentary, Editors Picks, Europe, Syria, Turkey Tags:2015, Daesh, France, French, ISIL, ISIS, Islam, March 13, Muslims, Paris attacks, Paris terrorism, six attacks, suicide bombings

Post navigation

Previous Post: Targeted Paris stadium symbolizes pitfalls of war against the Islamic State
Next Post: IMAGINE a Thanksgiving of Real Peace: Paix, Salaam, Shalom

Related Posts

  • UNHCR, The UN Refugees Agency revealed that 648,476 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees were assisted in the first half of 2019 with Zakat funds received through its ‘Refugee Zakat Fund’.
    Over 648,000 forcibly displaced people assisted in the first half of 2019 through UNHCR’s Refugee Zakat Fund Arab World
  • Rahma Relief Foundation raising money for Yemen in Tawheed Center American Arabs
  • BDS Israel to End Apartheid in the Holy Land and Save the Soul of Democracy American Arabs
  • Muslim women wearing a Hijab. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Can a Muslim woman marry a Non-Muslim Man? American Arabs
  • Haaretz Headline: Trump Has His Finger on the Nuclear Button, and No One Can Stop Him Arab World
  • Podcast: Sir Rateb Rabie on Middle East Christians American Arabs

More Related Articles

Mother of Mother’s Day & Women’s March to Ban the Bomb Activism
Sanders edge in Michigan may be due to Arab support American Arabs
Community salutes American Arab Tony Rezko American Arabs
Ghassan Rubeiz Could a new Washington -Tehran nuclear deal facilitate presidential elections in Lebanon? Bloggers
Mordechai Vanunu’s July 4 Indictment Arab World
Syrian refugee invents system to irrigate drought American Arabs

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Ali Mohamed Ahmed Osman Charge d’Affaires Embassy Sudan Tokyo
    The RSF mutiny’s resonance in Sudan: Understanding some of its impacts on regional and global dynamics
    September 23, 2023
  • Windows at many American Arab owned stores were broken the day after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. 14 Americans who "looked' Middle Eastern were murdered in the six months after the terrorism by Americans, most of whom were never prosecuted. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Disrespecting the memory of the 2,977 murdered victims of Sept. 11, 2001 by fueling a hatred of Arabs and Muslims
    September 11, 2023
  • Magdi A. Mofadal is the ambassador of Sudan to Austria
    Factors Stalling the Peace Process in Sudan
    August 28, 2023
  • Arab Americans and other minorities will suffer if automakers eliminate AM radio
    August 28, 2023
  • grab634.jpg
  • Ziyad-300x300FIndStore.jpg
  • NEWS
  • Bavaria non-Alcoholic
    Ziyad Brothers congratulates brewers of Bavaria non-alcoholic beer for receiving international award
    September 22, 2023
  • ADALAH confronts racist laws
    Civil Society Organizations to the Israeli Supreme Court: Cancel the Racist Admissions Committees Law
    September 22, 2023
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, announced Tuesday (Sept. 19, 2023) the filing of a lawsuit with a dozen plaintiffs seeking an end to the government’s secret watchlist that almost exclusively targets Muslims for harassment and humiliation when they travel.
    CAIR Announces Lawsuit in D.C., Mass., N.J., Mich. Seeking End to Secret Government Watchlist
    September 19, 2023
  • Furquan Ahmed serves as the Wayne County Community College District’s (WCCCD) Senior Vice Chancellor and President of the Northwest Campus.
    AHRC’s Announces its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Awardees
    September 18, 2023
  • NEWSWIRE
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, announced Tuesday (Sept. 19, 2023) the filing of a lawsuit with a dozen plaintiffs seeking an end to the government’s secret watchlist that almost exclusively targets Muslims for harassment and humiliation when they travel.
    CAIR Announces Lawsuit in D.C., Mass., N.J., Mich. Seeking End to Secret Government Watchlist
    September 19, 2023
  • Furquan Ahmed serves as the Wayne County Community College District’s (WCCCD) Senior Vice Chancellor and President of the Northwest Campus.
    AHRC’s Announces its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Awardees
    September 18, 2023
  • MBC launches new satellite channel focused on Saudi Culture
    Saudis launch new Satellite TV channel dedicated to Saudi Culture
    August 18, 2023
  • Abed Ayoub ADC National Director (Aug. 2022)
    ADC launches Arab American Business Advisory Council
    July 14, 2023

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Events

  • Amer Zahr's 1001 Laughs Palestine Comedy Festival returns in 2023
    Amer Zahr's 1001 Laughs Palestine Comedy Festival returns in 2023
    16 Sep 23
  • Light in Gaza: Born of Fire Upcoming Book Tour Dates for Portland & Washington State
    Light in Gaza: Born of Fire Upcoming Book Tour Dates for Portland & Washington State
    30 Sep 23
  • US Council of Muslim Organizations to hold 10th anniversary Fundraiser
    US Council of Muslim Organizations to hold 10th anniversary Fundraiser
    15 Oct 23
    Oak Brook
  • Arab American Democratic Club to host 40th Anniversary celebration Nov. 1
    Arab American Democratic Club to host 40th Anniversary celebration Nov. 1
    1 Nov 23
    Bolingbrook

POPULAR POSTS

  • AHRC’s Announces its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Awardees AHRC’s Announces its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Awardees The American Human Rights Council (AHRC-USA) is pleased to announce its ... posted on September 18, 2023
  • Disrespecting the memory of the 2,977 murdered victims of Sept. 11, 2001 by fueling a hatred of Arabs and Muslims Disrespecting the memory of the 2,977 murdered victims of Sept. 11, 2001 by fueling a hatred of Arabs and Muslims ... posted on September 11, 2023
  • Factors Stalling the Peace Process in Sudan Factors Stalling the Peace Process in Sudan By Magdi A. Mofadal Sudan’s partners are sounding the alarm over the deteriorating ... posted on August 28, 2023
  • Arab-American influencers Furrha Family share secrets of their success Arab-American influencers Furrha Family share secrets of their success Salem Furrha and his eight children @theFurrhaFamily on TikTok and Instagram represent ... posted on February 6, 2021
  • CAIR Announces Lawsuit in D.C., Mass., N.J., Mich. Seeking End to Secret Government Watchlist CAIR Announces Lawsuit in D.C., Mass., N.J., Mich. Seeking End to Secret Government Watchlist The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) ... posted on September 19, 2023
  • Flooding slams Wayne County in Detroit Michigan: Dingell releases statement of support Flooding slams Wayne County in Detroit Michigan: Dingell releases statement of support Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) released the following statement ... posted on August 27, 2023

Recent Posts

  • The RSF mutiny’s resonance in Sudan: Understanding some of its impacts on regional and global dynamics
  • Ziyad Brothers congratulates brewers of Bavaria non-alcoholic beer for receiving international award
  • Civil Society Organizations to the Israeli Supreme Court: Cancel the Racist Admissions Committees Law
  • CAIR Announces Lawsuit in D.C., Mass., N.J., Mich. Seeking End to Secret Government Watchlist
  • AHRC’s Announces its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Awardees
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Glory to God int he Lowest by Author Rev. Donald Wagner
    Book Review: Glory to God in the Lowest: journeys to an unholy land
    February 18, 2023
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • Comedian Ahmed Ahmed at The Comedy Bar in Chicago June 9 - 11, 2023
    Comedian Ahmed Ahmed performs in Chicago June 9-11, 2023 at The Comedy Bar
    June 9, 2023
  • Ziyad Food item
    Essential recipes and ingredients during Ramadan 
    April 4, 2023
  • Hussam al-Mayman, The Mayman Show, podcast Arab News
    Arab News launches third season of The Mayman Show podcast
    December 15, 2022
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • Comedian Ramy Youssef courtesy of his Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ramysfaceboo/
    “Ramy” cable series melds Arab world reality with every day American life
    October 22, 2022
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
Arab News Newspaper Logo
Read the Arab News, the leading English language newspaper in the MIddle East

Follow Ray Hanania at Gab.com, MeWe.com and IDobbinate.com, the alternatives to Facebook and Twitter Censorship.

Click here to get information on The Ray Hanania Radio Show and its podcasts

Copyright © 2023 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme