The French Legislative Elections

Following the preliminary victory of the far-right group, ID (Identity and Democracy), which counts amongst its members the French far-right party RN (Rassemblement National), the French president, Emmanuel Macron, founder of the liberal, centralist party “Renaissance,” has decided to dissolve the French parliament and organize new elections. The first round of these elections took place on the 30th of June, while the second round will be held on the 7th of July. The results of these elections could lead to the introduction of more anti-immigrant, and especially more Islamophobic laws.

The French parliament counts 577 seats, of which the French far-right Party, RN, and its allies are projected to win between 230-280 following the first round. While these results will possibly change following the results of the second round, it is projected that the RN will obtain the majority in these elections. Obtaining the majority within the legislative elections would mean that a prime minister will be chosen by the president and not the people, from within the party. This prime minister will then preside over the parliament and will be able to introduce laws.

With the increased probability of an RN majority, tensions amongst the Ummah in France have increased as the RN program entails numerous Islamophobic and anti-immigration policies. Most notably, the RN promises to close Islamic institutions such as mosques, Quran schools, and Islamic organizations. It also promises to ban the wearing of the hijab in public spaces, to strip people of their nationality for speaking about Islam, and to ban halal meat. It also specifies that these attacks on Islam are not to safeguard the so-called “laicity” France hides behind, as it had promised to fight against the banning of Christmas by placing Christmas trees and nativity scenes in public spaces.

These strong Islamophobic feelings have pushed the Ummah in France into two groups, who fight each other online instead of fighting the true enemy, the West.

Some Muslims are strongly campaigning for Muslims to go out and vote to ensure that the RN does not win. This, in their eyes, is the best way to ensure that the lesser of two evils would be in charge. This is what happened when Emmanuel Macron was elected, as he was constantly seen as the lesser of two evils. However, the Ummah was quickly proved wrong as Macron and his government went on to ban the abaya, as well as banning mothers from entering school grounds with a hijab or going on field trips with their kids.

Other Muslims have decided not to vote, understanding that no matter the party in charge, the abuse of Muslims cannot be stopped by using their own abusive tools. This, however, has made them the victims of abuse from both the French people and their own brothers and sisters. They have been called stupid and backwards for refusing to partake in a system that clearly views them as the problem, the outsider, and the threat to their power.

It is by no longer believing that the West will bring forth the solution to the Muslim problem. The Ummah can finally look back to its deen to find the solution that Allah (swt) has laid out for us in the Quran.

Allah (swt) says:

[ذَلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لاَ رَيْبَ فِيهِ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ]

“This is the Book! There is no doubt about it—a guide for those mindful of Allah˺”

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Amatullah Hechmi