The "Religion of Peace" and Their Appeasers

France Probes Death Threats Against Teacher Who Attacked Islam

French anti-terrorism authorities Friday opened an inquiry into death threats against a philosophy teacher who has been forced into hiding over a newspaper column attacking Islam, legal officials said. Robert Redeker, 52, has been given round-the-clock police protection, changing addresses every two days, since the article appeared in the conservative French newspaper Le Figaro earlier this month. Written in reaction to the Muslim fury unleashed by Pope Benedict XVI's references to Islam, the piece describes the Koran as a "book of extraordinary violence" and Islam as "a religion which ... exalts violence and hate". Under the heading "In the face of Islamist intimidation, what must the free world do?", Redeker claimed that "Islam is trying to make Europe yield to its vision of mankind" using "violence and intimidation". It describes the Prophet Mohammed, as depicted in the Koran, as a "master of hate", "a merciless war-leader, a pillager, a massacrer of Jews and a polygamist". Since then Redeker says he has received e-mail threats targeting himself and his wife and three children, and that his photograph and address were available on several Islamist Internet sites. "There is a very clear map of how to get to my home, with the words: 'This pig must have his head cut off'," he said. (...) "We are in a democracy, everyone has the right to express his views freely -- of course while respecting others. " But Redeker -- interviewed on French radio from a safe house -- accused the authorities of leaving him "alone and abandoned", saying the education ministry had not offered him any help. On Thursday Education Minister Gilles de Robien expressed "solidarity" with the teacher, but also warned that "a state employee must show prudence and moderation in all circumstances." (...) Several French rights groups, while condemning the intimidation, accused Redeker -- a published philosopher known for his strong views on Islam -- of irresponsible "provocation". The MRAP anti-racism group said his article was badly timed and likely to fuel French fears of a Muslim "enemy within", without distinction between ordinary citizens and violent extremists. Likewise, the Paris-based League of Human Rights said it revealed Redeker's "hatred of Islam and Muslims" -- though it said no one should be intimidated for their ideas, "however sickening". Redeker's article has been denounced on Al-Jazeera television by the influential Qatari Muslim scholar Yusuf al-Qaradawi, and the September 19 issue of Le Figaro was banned in Egypt and Tunisia. (...) The press freedoms watchdog Reporters Without Borders issued a strong-worded statement against what it called "ideological censorship"."It is unacceptable that, more and more, threats and censorship are taking the place of controversy and debate," it warned. Speaking on Europe 1, Redeker said his detractors had "already won a victory of sorts." "I cannot do my job. I have no freedom of movement. I am in hiding. Already they have succeeded in punishing me ... as if I was guilty of holding the wrong opinions."

Nice people, eh. Freedom of speech evidently isn't one of those things the Islamofascists values much.