French teacher in hiding after criticizing Islam
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Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Robert Redeker, a French writer and college tutor in Toulouse, is now in hiding after receiving a series of death threats from Islamic fundamentalists by phone, email, and on a radical Islamist internet forum.
One online posting called upon French Muslims to “follow the lead of Muhammad Bouyeri“, who murdered the Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh after he made a film denouncing the plight of abused Muslim women.
The forum also published photos of him, his home address with directions, the places where he works, and his telephone numbers. Mr. Redeker told i-TV that:
- “There is a very clear map of how to get to my home, with the words: ‘This pig must have his head cut off’.”
The French police say they are taking the threats seriously, but did not elaborate on the protection offered to Mr. Redeker.
Mr. Redeker had published an editorial in Le Figaro criticizing Islam. His article stated that the Prophet Mohammed was “a merciless warlord, a looter” and “a mass-murderer of Jews”. He also asserted that Islam “exalts violence and hatred” in its sacred text and religious rites.
Le Figaro has defended Mr. Redeker, publishing a front-page open letter, signed by the editor and the publisher, saying “We condemn with the greatest conviction the grave attacks on freedom of thought and freedom of expression which this affair has provoked.” But later issues apologies.
Education Minister Gilles de Robien expressed “solidarity” with Mr. Redeker but also criticized him for not showing “prudence and moderation”. Two French teachers unions have issued statements defending Mr. Redeker’s right to speak freely while also criticizing his statements.
Le Figaro has been banned in several Muslim countries, including Egypt.
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Freighter hits fishing boat in Gulf of Suez; thirteen dead
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Tuesday, December 16, 2014
A freighter hit a fishing boat around midnight on Sunday morning in the Gulf of Suez in the Red Sea. Of the 40 Egyptian fisherman on board, thirteen are dead and thirteen more missing.
Survivor Al Sayyed Mohamed Arafat told local media he jumped from the fishing boat, named Badr al-Islam, as the container ship approached. He says he hung onto a wooden crate for four hours before rescue. Local authorities have promised compensation to each survivor.
A vessel, flagged in Panama, suspected to be involved in the collision has been detained by the military. The army said yesterday one victim raised the alarm by phone and the military sent four boats and a helicopter to commence search and rescue off the Gabal al-Zayt coastline.
A plane has since joined the search. The military say the fishing boat lacked safety equipment for emergency communications.
The detained ship was found south of the Gulf, near the port of Safaga. It was carrying 220 tonnes of cargo according to the General Authority for the Red Sea Ports.
