For Muslims, The Prophet Muhammad SAW is the ultimate role model

As the background for President Macron's speech, early last October, "Islam is experiencing a crisis in all parts of the world and not only in our country". He also announced plans for stricter laws to tackle what he called "Islamic separatism" in France. He said a minority of France's roughly six million Muslims were in danger of forming a "rival society".

When describing "Islam is in crisis everywhere", President Macron spoke not only of Islam in France but in general. Yes, some Islamic countries (predominantly Muslim) are experiencing crises in various forms. From radicalism, terrorism, armed conflict to civil war. However, describing Islam as "in crisis everywhere in the world" would not be correct. Even reckless. Not based on facts.

Because it is not wrong if a French human rights activist, Yasser al-Lawati, said President Macron wanted to make Muslims the scapegoats of his political strategy. The goal is to cover up failures in domestic and foreign policy, failure to deal with the Covid-19 outbreak, and failure to revive the country's economy.

Al Lawati gave an example, the case of separatism which Macron referred to is artificial, it does not exist in the daily life of French Islamic society. No organization, group, or district prosecutes separatists.

The term separatist, according to him, is a term used in the French colonial era for colonized people who wanted to liberate themselves. Now the term is being used by President Macron to target Muslim French citizens from Arabia, Africa, and Asia.

Some of the largest Muslim communities in Western Europe accuse Macron of trying to suppress Muslims. They say their campaign risks legitimizing Islamophobia.

The Islamophobia campaigned for by the French president has found momentum when there were two terrorist attacks. First, a teacher at a school outside Paris, Samuel Paty, 47, was murdered by Abdoullakh Anzoruv, a Russian-born Chechen teenager, aged 18.

The incident occurred on 16 October. Previously, the history teacher showed the cartoon of Prophet Muhammad SAW from Charlie Hebdo magazine to his students in a class.

Second, the stabbing of three congregants at a church in the city of Nice, southern France, which took place two weeks after the teacher's murder. French President Emmanuel Macron said the two bloody events were "terrorist attacks by Islamist groups".

We certainly condemn the perpetrators of the two attacks. They are terrorists, they must be dealt with firmly, regardless of their religion. Terrorist acts, whatever their purpose, cannot be justified. Their actions are full of hatred and go against the very tolerant teachings of Islam.

However, it is also worth remembering that linking "Islam with violence and terrorism" and the statement "Islam is in crisis everywhere" is painful.

What must be underlined is that terrorism does not only occur in France. Terrorism, extremism, radicalism, and intolerance are also big problems in Islamic countries.

Various terrorist attacks have taken place, even mosques have been targeted. Until now, Islamic countries still face the threat of violence from terrorist groups such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and its splinter organizations. All parties need to work together against violence, extremism, hatred, and intolerance.

However, it is also important to remember that linking "Islam with violence and terrorism" and the statement "Islam is in crisis everywhere" is painful. Moreover, the publication of caricatures insulting the Prophet Muhammad SAW, and that was supported by President Macron, could be considered terror against the beliefs and creeds of Muslims.

For Muslims, the Prophet Muhammad SAW is the ultimate role model. He is the most respected leader. Even his words, deeds, decrees, and approvals are used as the basis for Islamic law, which is called hadith or sunnah. In Islam, hadith is the second source of Islamic law after the Koran.

The Prophet Muhammad SAW also guaranteed that Muslims would not go astray as long as they clung to the Koran and the sunnah. With such a position, Muslims will be very angry if their apostle is humiliated or insulted.

True, freedom of expression in France and other European countries is guaranteed by statute or law. And, we respect that. However, freedom does not mean being as free as freely as possible.

There are limits to freedom. Freedom must be used with care, not to demonize or offend others. Freedom of expression does not include insulting the other party. Moreover, the Prophet Muhammad SAW who was mocked and insulted was the role model and leader of Muslims.

Will this feud lead to worse things in the relationship between Muslims and the West? We certainly don't want it.

Now, President Macron's statements and attitudes that offend Muslims have been conveyed - which are also supported by several Western leaders. The Muslim community, including Islamic leaders, has responded very harshly. From rallies, boycotts of French goods, and products to loud and even personal statements.

Will the enmity of the President of France with one and a half billion Muslims continue? Will this feud lead to worse things in the relationship between Muslims and the West? We certainly don't want it.

Let us quote the statement by the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau. He is also young, 48 years old. He said in response to President Macron's statement, "In a diverse and diverse society, we must respect each other. It is our duty to recognize the impact of our words, actions, and attitudes on others, especially communities and groups that still experience a lot of discrimination."

Trudeau, who has led Canada's pluralistic society for five years, also said, "It is our duty to act with respect towards others and try not to hurt those who share our community and world with us. Nobody has the right to turn on the lights in a theater full of people when the film is running. We always have a limit ".