Islamophobia in question. A book France, you love it but you leave it*, published this Friday in bookstores, puts the finger on a phenomenon that has been kept quiet until now. For two years, three academics, Alice Picard, Olivier Esteves and Julien Talpin, investigated the “silent flight” of France’s Muslim elite, a diaspora that escapes our country’s radar.
Their study is based on more than 1,000 testimonies of people born and raised in France, but who one day decided to leave. Almost always death in the soul. They are all of the Muslim faith, whether their name is Smaïl, Karim, Khalid, Nouria or even Emeline. If they left, most often, it is to “leave them in peace with their religion”, popularizes one of the co-authors, Olivier Esteves, a professor specializing in the English-speaking world at the University of Lille.
“Atmospheric Islamophobia”
So, from this sociological research, two main motives emerge that justify the departure: 71% of the respondents mention “racism and discrimination”, and 63% spontaneously point out “difficulties of peacefully living their religion”.
For co-author and researcher Alice Picard, it’s “atmospheric Islamophobia”. “Even if the results should be taken with a grain of salt, we can talk about anti-Arab racism, as generalized, to the extent that this minority should remain in its place. We have the impression that these people face discrimination the most when they access the social elevator. »
This is the case of Driss**, based in Montreal, Canada. “Here, that’s a little bit of the American mentality,” he explains 20 minutes. As long as you bring in money, nobody cares, you can show your faith without shame. » It goes without saying that this was not the case in France.
Because Driss kind of hates the territorial civil service where he started working. “Despite my level of study, I quickly realized that I would be stuck at a certain level,” he assures. I wasn’t discriminated against, but I constantly had comments about my background. »
“I always felt suspicious”
The third generation of an Algerian family, he is not “the guy who leaves the meeting to go and pray”, but he practices Ramadan. “Faith is something intimate. » In 2020, precisely with Covid-19, he decided to emigrate to Canada and does not regret it. “I work in IT with big responsibilities. In France, that would never be possible, not even in a dream. »
With a hijab (a head covering) on her head, Laura recalls, “I converted at the age of 17 in high school, just before entering college.” Joined by 20 minutes, recounts his parents’ fears. “It was a time when many went to wage jihad in Syria. »
The young girl, who now lives in London, then moved to teaching. “During my master’s internship, the director of an association let me know that I would not be able to keep the veil on during the internship,” she says. I did not understand this ban because my mission was to teach the French language to the migrant public, some of whom wore the veil. »
Showing her faith has always been problematic for this young woman, now 27. “I always felt suspicious, especially since it was obvious that I wasn’t from North Africa,” she continues. Since she teaches at a school in London, wearing the veil goes unnoticed. “The right to indifference,” she explains. Some wear crosses, others yarmulkes. Here the management provides a multi-faith prayer room. »
Questionable method of investigation?
The three authors have collected hundreds of such testimonies. “We put our finger on a reality that is difficult to quantify because there are no official data,” admits Olivier Esteves.
The method of investigation could even be challenged. “It is true that there is a selection bias because we launched a call for witnesses on Mediapart,” he admits. But we were surprised by the enthusiasm generated by this unprecedented research in France. It is up to others to take it to do deeper research. »
The repeal of the Edict of Nantes in 1685 caused at that time the acceleration of the exile of about 200,000 Protestants from the Kingdom of France. Many belonged to the intellectual elite and this brain drain strengthened France’s economic competitors. Today, no French law discriminates against a particular religion.
However, many of the people interviewed highlight the difficult climate such as the veil or abaya debates. “As soon as there is an attack, this population must give, more than others, proof of loyalty to the Republic and to secularism,” specifies Alice Picard.
Coming from the same working-class district of Tourcoing, in the north, Laura and Driss claim to have experienced the same “tear” of leaving their loved ones and their country. “During the 2022 World Cup final, I went out with the French flag on my shoulders to support the French team,” says Driss. It’s my country. »
* 306 pages, 23 euros, Seuil editions.
**Assumed names.
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