Muslim countries call for boycotting French products

Since this Saturday, calls to boycott French products have multiplied on social networks, following the remarks made by President Emmanuel Macron. During a tribute to Professor Samuel Paty, beheaded by a terrorist after showing caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed, the Head of State stressed not to “renounce caricatures”.

The boycott proposals were broadcast from Turkey, Iran, Jordan and Kuwait, according to AFP. In this context, the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) deplored “the words of certain French officials (…) likely to harm Franco-Muslim relations”.

The Al-Meera and Souq al-Baladi distribution chains in Qatar have announced that they will “withdraw” French products from their stores “until further notice.” For its part, the University of Qatar announced Friday on Twitter the postponement of the French cultural week after “the deliberate attack on Islam and its symbols”.

In Kuwait, AFP also mentions withdrawals of products from certain stores. Vice-president of the Kuwaiti Federation of Cooperatives, Khaled al-Otaibi confirmed that around sixty cooperatives, which constitute major distributors in the country, are preparing to boycott French brands. These include “cheeses, creams and cosmetics”, which have already been “returned to authorized agents in Kuwait”.

Head of the Federation of Kuwaiti Travel Agencies, Mohammad al-Motairi, meanwhile told AFP that nearly 430 Kuwaiti travel agencies had suspended flight bookings to France. In Jordan, the opposition Islamic Action Front, in turn, called on citizens to boycott French-made products.