Let’s ponder that line of reasoning for a moment, because there are many in the West who would argue on similar assumptions. Omar Bakri would have us believe (and some will) that the ban will cause “radicalization,” and it will be our fault. In other words, acts by non-Muslims throw a magical “radicalization” switch in otherwise peaceful Muslims, and they can’t control themselves.
Rather, any uptick in “radical” rhetoric or actions that will be blamed on the burqa ban as the grievance du jour — if it weren’t the burqa ban, jihadists and their enablers would find something else — is a symptom of a problem in Islamic communities and Islamic texts and teachings that already exists.
In other words, fighting back does not cause jihad; it merely exposes who our friends really are.
“Banned Islamist warns France against Muslim veil ban,” from Agence France-Presse, July 7:
An Islamist preacher barred from Britain for his radical views warned France on Wednesday against passing a Muslim veil ban, or risk increasing support for Al-Qaeda.
“Look what happened in Belgium and in France,” Omar Bakri said, referring to Belgium’s ban on the burqa, or full Islamic veil, and the start of debates by the French parliament on a similar law that is all but certain to be adopted.
“They believe that prohibiting Muslim women to use the burqa is going to make them safer. But they are wrong. This is going to make Muslims living in France give more support to Al-Qaeda”, Bakri told Spain’s Cadena Ser radio….