PARIS – Amid the rising Islamophobia in the Western European country, a controversial French political commentator Eric Zemmour pledged to ban Muslim names like ‘Mohammed’ if he elected as next president.
Reports in international media cited that the 63-year-old political reporter turned public commentator, who also got banned from French news channel for his inflammatory rhetoric, vowed to outlaw foreign names, especially Muslims referring to the founder of the Islam, claiming that first names of Arabic or other origins will not be allowed if he comes into power, as the TV celebrity aimed to ‘rekindle lost imperial prestige of France’.
He mentioned it as one of the first policies he would implement after being elected.
Speaking in a recent program On est en Direct, the French ultra-conservative writer revealed some of the strident measures as he is all set to run for the next presidential run. Election season began in the European country this week, with all candidates holding campaign-style events.
The former host also hinted at reinstating the 1803 law which was abolished by Francois Mitterrand in 1993 and after that French residents will no longer have the right to call their son ‘Muhammad’ or by naming any other name that ‘opposed’ French secular values.
Previously the law was revoked in the socialist era which permitted only names from the Christian calendar of saints and those from ancient history.
Rationalizing the bizarre announcement, the man who claimed to be inspired by former US President Donald Trump, said “I think that we have to make French people again as earlier generations of immigrants changed their names. There is no reason why the new ones should not do the same. What upsets me is that after three generations, people are still calling their children Muhammad”.
Meanwhile, a recent poll depicted his fame among potential voters, while others mull that he is capable enough for the post of mayor of Paris.
Furthermore, the latest read of Zemmour La France n’a pas encore dit son dernier mot which means France has not yet said its last word, is reportedly a campaign tome in which he illustrates his vision for remaking France.
The possible presidential candidate also revealed that a number of people are pushing him to run for the candidate, as he got ‘good ideas’ for the Western European country however he hasn’t announced his candidacy officially.
The man accused of having xenophobic views asked French Muslims to limit their religion to faith and practice at the individual level.
The recent interview that had made headlines across the globe isn’t the first of its kind as his racial hatred speeches on Islam and ethnic minorities have landed him in legal trouble, not once but many times.
He was ordered to pay thousands of euros as compensation in 2019, by a French court, after being found guilty of inciting racial hatred.
Meanwhile, the French media regulating body has decided to ‘limit’ his air time, arguing that he should not be using his unlimited media appearances to campaign for the upcoming polls.
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