“It’s none of your business.” Five simple words before dying. Politically very fair, when you think about it. But we’ll come back to that: first, let’s recap. Shortly before 8 p.m., Wednesday April 10, two friends from Algeria are sipping beers on the grass, in Bordeaux, near the water mirror, Place de la Bourse. A 26-year-old Afghan calls out to them and, in broken French, reproaches them for drinking alcohol on the evening of Eid – implied: “you who are Muslims”. According to the public prosecutor, the two men then replied: “It’s none of your business.” An altercation ensues, during which the Afghan pulls out a switchblade, and ends the life of one of the two friends. The second will escape with injuries.
“It’s none of your business.” The phrase, innocuous, could in truth sum up the secular spirit. In the public space – the City – the religion of each person literally does not concern us. There is no law that applies there other than that of the Republic; no custom can impose itself on the principles that we have chosen and shaped for ourselves. However, for several years, this secular spirit has been hit by the battle of norms which is taking place – in France as elsewhere – within Islam itself. And which concerns what signals and defines “a good Muslim”. Outfits, food, practice… the most rigorous seek to impose their codes through intimidation and culturally arm attackers of all kinds. Here, college students who harass a young girl not wearing the veil and dressing in European style (as probably happened in Montpellier, for Samara). There, young men who kill one of their peers, who dared to talk about “sexuality” with a Muslim teenager (like Shemseddine in Viry-Châtillon). There, again, men drinking alcohol, in Bordeaux.
Some politicians, activists and commentators put up with these community calls to order, which are particularly heavy in certain parts of France where the critical mass of the most radical intimidates the silent majority. Is it for fear of being called “Islamophobes”? Is it out of naivety? Or by indifference (hidden behind the screen of openness and “inclusiveness”)? In the name of cultural relativism, of “let’s not stigmatize each one’s own morals”, some accept that French men and women are caught up in the patrol of religious rigor. However, this question concerns us all. It has repercussions for everyone. “France is an indivisible, secular, democratic and social Republic. It ensures equality before the law for all citizens, without distinction of origin, race or religion.” This is the first paragraph of article 1 of the Constitution. It would be good for everyone to remember that.