Laicism, islamophobia, and Colonial Counter-Revolution in 21st Century France

https://doi.org/10.25058/20112742.n40.14

Malik Tahar-Chaouch
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3441-8010
Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, México
taharchaouch@yahoo.fr

Abstract:

This article is a decolonial analysis of the islamophobic uses of laicism in 21st century France. The sociopolitical and theoretical scope of that phenomenon goes beyond the French frontiers and lay bridges with the Latin American decolonial thinking. First of all, we observe how, challenging their very own principles, French laicism has made an identity turn linked to islam post-colonial management to become the flag of islamophobia. Then we examine the controversies generated around the term “islamophobia” and pose it as an embodiment of race war. Finally, we show how islamophobia, islam and the “Muslim” are at the center of the colonial counter-revolution, but also of post-colonial immigration fights, and those of their descendants in France. As a conclusion, we outline a reflection upon coloniality inherent to laicity and to eh process of laicization and secularization.

Keywords: laicity, islamophobia, decolonial turn, coloniality of power, social races, islamic veil.