Internet users in Gulf countries call for a boycott of French...

Islamic separatism, place of Islam in France and caricatures of the prophet, so many subjects which recently pushed users of social networks, mainly from Gulf countries, to launch a campaign to boycott French products supported by some officials. The details

On social networks, in recent days, a hashtag has been circulating widely among accounts mainly from the Gulf Emirates. The hashtag calls for a boycott of French products, not hesitating to list the brands in question and which are available all over the world. The reason given for the boycott being attacks against the prophet, allusion made to recent cartoons published by Charlie Hebdo but also by a large part of the French press.

In addition, several French activists, in Paris and elsewhere, volunteered to hang the said caricatures on walls in public space, in tribute to the French teacher Samuel Paty, beheaded on October 16 for showing an image. from a caricature of the prophet of Islam to his students. The act was part of a civic education course, usually taught by the teacher, which focused on freedom of expression.

Media sources report that this boycott decision is also linked to the offensive statements of French President Emmanuel Marcron on Islam and Muslims. The call for a boycott was joined by private operators of mass distribution, in Kuwait as in Qatar or in Oman. In Qatar, Al Meera Consumer Goods, attached to the State of Qatar, announced on Twitter its decision to withdraw French products.

Among the products targeted, we are talking about luxury brands such as Cartier, Dior, Chanel or Lacoste, but also food products or car manufacturers such as Renault or the Gauloises cigarette brand, indicate media relaying the call for boycott. The call was also commented on by Qatari officials who, on Twitter, did not hesitate to criticize Emmanuel Macron’s comments.

In Kuwait, photos and videos are widely relayed where we can see the emirate’s supermarkets empty their shelves of French products. The Sultanate of Oman is also involved in this appeal, as photos posted on social media show.