Since the start of the century, France has been in fear of religious terrorism by Islamic extremists, including the Charlie Hebdo attack in 2015. Things had been quiet for a while, but recently a terror attack was carried out again by Islamic extremists. French citizens felt shocked and furious when a French teacher was beheaded on October 16^th. In France, protests took place despite COVID-19 social distancing restrictions, and externally, relations between France and Muslim countries further deteriorated. In addition, France has been facing a chaotic situation internally as another terrorist attack at a cathedral in Nice on October 29^th killed three people and injured a number more. Let's look at the horrendous terror attack in France, with a focus on the cause and effects of it.

The Beheading Terror of a French Teacher on October 16^th

  The terrorist attack in France occurred on October 16^th when a middle school history teacher, Samuel Paty, was brutally murdered. Paty was beheaded in the street on the outskirts of Paris by a teenage male Islamic extremist from Chechen for using cartoons satirizing Muhammad, the founder of Islam, while teaching freedom of expression at school; a freedom that France supports. The suspect was shot to death by police at the scene while fleeing with a weapon. Paty's teaching of freedom of expression was related to the Charlie Hebdo attack in 2015. The Charlie Hebdo attack is a terror attack in which 12 people, including the company's editor, were killed by Islamic extremists who considered it sacrilege to satirize, or even depict, the prophet Muhammad, after French media Charlie Hebdo printed caricatures satirizing the prophet. The trial of suspected accomplices in the attack began in early September this year, and Charlie Hebdo reprinted caricatures of Muhammad. Paty showed the caricatures in class, giving lessons on freedom of expression. In the process, one parent who is a follower of Islam protested against Paty by sharing the contents of the class and his identity on SNS. After seeing them, the murder suspect reportedly committed the terror attack that beheaded Paty.

What Happened After the Attack?

  Despite the serious COVID-19 crisis, after the shocking terrorist attacks, many citizens came out in Paris to pay tribute to slain teacher Samuel Paty. According to the Wall Street Journal on October 21^st, French President Emmanuel Macron said at a national memorial service for him, “Samuel Paty became on Friday the face of our republic, of our determination to break terrorists, to diminish Islamists, to live as a community of free citizens in our country. We will not give up caricatures, drawings, even if others back down.” In other words, Macron said he will defend freedom of expression and stand firm against Islamic extremism. In response, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that President Macron needs mental treatment, and urged a boycott of French products, sparking a conflict between France and Turkey. The BBC reported that protesters from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other Muslim countries also urged a boycott of French products and held rallies to criticize President Macron, who defended satire against Muhammad. Other Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Jordan, also agreed to strongly criticize France and urged a boycott of French products, which have worsened relations between France and Muslim countries. Under these circumstances, another Islamic terrorist attack occurred in Nice, a southern French city, on October 29^th. At the Notre Dame Basilica in Nice, a 21-year-old from Tunisia was named a suspect for killing three people and injuring more. According to MBN, Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi said the suspect continued to shout "God is the greatest" in Arabic after being arrested by police. And the victims claimed that Samuel Paty was killed in a similar way. Reuters also reported that a man who threatened passersby with a handgun was shot dead by French police in Montfavet, near the city of Avignon in southern France, shouting "God is the greatest” in Arabic. Moreover, France faced the threat of terrorism in Saudi Arabia which seems to be resisting France. A security guard at the French consulate in Jeddah, a port city of Saudi Arabia, was injured by a Saudi man's knife. The French consulate announced the security guard who was attacked was not in life-threatening condition, but strongly condemned the brutal attack aimed at diplomatic facilities. 

Recently, France has been in a state of national emergency due to the re-spreading of COVID-19 and has faced a dizzy domestic situation due to a series of terrorist attacks by Islamic extremists. France, which values freedom of expression, was shocked by the brutal beheading of the teacher. Terrorism has resurfaced with religious conflicts over freedom of expression and sacrilege. As another terrorist attack happened at a cathedral in Nice on October 29^th, France has continued to be terrorized. CAH hopes France will be in better situations in the future.