Muslims threaten teacher (Illustration)
Photo: Reuters
France: Teacher on the run after criticizing Muhammad
Philosophy teacher Robert Redeker is on the run since fundamentalists threatened to kill him for his article on violence within Islam
The French Jewish umbrella group CRIF has called on French authorities to defend philosophy teacher Robert Redeker who is on the run since fundamentalists threatened to kill him for his article on violence within Islam in national newspaper le Figaro.
In his September 19 article: “Facing fundamentalist intimidation, what should the free world do?" Redeker attempted to shake public opinion following the Pope's quotes on Islam and the anger they raised in certain Muslim communities.
Redeker described Muhammad as a “ruthless and looter warlord, a Jew slaughterer and a polygamist”. He also compared Islam to communism.
Several days after the publication Redeker’s life changed as he became the target of several death threats by Muslim fundamentalist groups. His three children are now hiding in boarding schools and Redeker and his wife have been continuously fleeing from one hideout to another, under police protection.
Abandoned
Redeker told news radio Europe 1 he felt abandoned as aside from police protection he had to find hideouts on his own. He claimed French authorities provided him with no means to hide from fundamentalists.CRIF said French authorities must not only protect Redeker but also enable him to resume his work in a high school near Toulouse.
“Accepting his absence from school because of threats issued by fundamentalists on the Internet is a grave resignation to these intimidation attempts,” the organization said in a press release.
Reprinted with permission of European Jewish Press
