Riots bad for Islamists

Submitted by Victor Purinton (United States), Nov 9, 2005 at 12:50

These riots are very bad news for Islamists. Once the rioting stops, there will be lots of meetings in which the lack of immigrant assimilation - universally considered one of the roots of the problem - will be at the top of the agenda. This will cause the imams to twist their beards in concern. Obeying the French secular laws is one thing, but assimilation means more than that: getting involved with French life; speaking French and attending French schools; interacting, working, and doing business with others; and accepting the flagrantly un-Islamic actions of others. All very bad habits for Muslim youths to pick up according to Islamists. Expect to hear some panicky words to that effect from your local mosque.

All in all, the riots could end up bringing about a good result: explicit statements by various groups to the effect that immigrants (read: Muslims) living in France should do their best to become part of the culture (as is done with tremendous success in the US).

At least, we can always hope.

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