Kathmandu. France’s President Emmanuel Macron has managed to land himself in hot waters with Muslim activists as he claimed that “Islam is a religion that is in crisis all over the world today, we are not just seeing this in our country.”

His speech on Friday where he sought to defend the secular values integrated within France’s societal structures came with the idea of tackling “Islamic Radicalism.” This particular speech had been constantly delayed throughout this year as the President tried to find an appropriate approach that could best covey his message. As a report from Al Jazeera has noted, he has declared that he will be cementing a 1905 law that bans public exhibition of religious affiliation in civil offices and schools, whilst allowing individuals to choose their own faith. France was the first European country that in April 11, 2011 banned the practice of wearing ‘hijabs’ for its nationals and foreign visitors, citing a penalty for disregarding the rules.

Macron made a point to highlight the inefficiency of the government in trying to contain the spread of radical ideas. Such views, he has claimed, finds well-planted roots in underprivileged communities where religious groups have filled the voids created by the limited reach of the government. Since 2018, France has thereby closed 15 mosques, 11 homes for children, 212 bars and 4 schools within several pilot programmes.

The legislations proposed by the President will move towards the Parliament by the end 0f 2020. As per the BBC, the laws will include strict monitoring of sport institutions, keeping a close eye on the financing of the mosques, banning home-schooling, and putting an end to imams being sent to France from other countries.

Macron’s speech has resulted in Muslim scholars and activists replying with disappointment. Yasser Louati, a French human rights activist posted on his Twitter account that, “The repression of Muslims has been a threat, now it is a promise. In a one hour speech #Macron burried #laïcité, emboldened the far right, anti-Muslim leftists and threatened the lives of Muslim students by calling for drastic limits on home schooling despite a global pandemic.”