France: More Extreme Violence in Schools

Once again, France is dealing with an extreme act of violence in one of its schools. A few days ago, a schoolgirl named Samara was viciously beaten by three of her schoolmates. As a result, she had to be placed in an induced coma, from which she has now emerged. The attackers are in juvenile custody and charged with attempted murder. The case has drawn the attention of French President Emmanuel Macron. 

It appears that French media is treating this story gingerly, appearing to focus on social media as being a significant factor. The identities of the victim and attackers are protected since they are all juveniles. However, it appears that the victim was a Muslim girl, and her attackers were also Muslims. It also appears that the motive behind the attack was the victim’s perceived failure to dress in accordance with Islamic dress standards as well as her perceived “inappropriate behavior.”

The Religion of Peace blog has posted this English-language article on the case from Independent (UK).

This French news report from Montpelier-based news outlet, Midilibre, is translated by Fousesquawk.

Attack on Samara: The rector of the Great Mosque of Paris “strongly condemns” this “hateful behavior”

Four days after the attack on a schoolgirl in Montpelier, the rector of the Great Mosque of Paris, spoke out to denounce this “inexcusable” violence.

On Friday, April 5, the rector of the Great Mosque of Paris condemned the “inexcusable” attack of an adolescent girl of 13 in front of her high school in Montpelier. ”I strongly condemn the inexcusable attack of which Samara was a victim. Violence and harassment have no place in our society,” Chems-eddine Hafiz announced in a press release.

He affirms his support to Samara’s mother, “rejecting any political exploitation,” and stresses that, “violence is formally prohibited, and the essence of our faith resides in peace.”

“The trivialization of extreme violence”

“While certain people persist in blaming Islam, let us concentrate on constructive solutions to combat harassment and ensure the security of our children,” he states, in the belief that the true problem is the “trivialization of extreme violence and the harmful impact of social media.

The attack on the adolescent girl took place on Tuesday, April 2 in front of the Arthur-Rimbaud School in the La Mosson quarter. The young girl, “gravely injured” according to the Montpelier Public Prosecutor’s Office, has since come out of a coma.

Hafiz’s tweet on X:

“I strongly condemn the inexcusable attack of which Samara was a victim. Violence and harassment have no place in our society. We must all come together to support Samara and put an end to this type of hateful behavior.”

April 5, 3:03 am

Three minors, ages 14 and 15, were placed in custody Wednesday, April 3 for attempted murder of a minor under the age of 15. The mother of the student has (opined) in the media that the girl had previously been the victim of harassment, particularly by one of her schoolmates, raising the hypothesis of a conflict surrounding her manner of dress and practice of religion.