Radical Islamism: Jean-François Roberge calls for people to ‘wake up’

The day after François Legault’s speech denouncing the “onslaught of radical Islamism,” Minister of Secularism Jean-François Roberge called on Wednesday for people to wake up to this threat.

Asked to give examples of manifestations of radical Islamism in Quebec, Roberge cited the case of Bedford School in Montreal, where a report showed that teachers had infiltrated the institution.

“We must not wait until it is everywhere, in all our institutions, to wake up. Let’s wake up now,” Roberge said at a press conference.

Legault himself was asked to explain his comments from the previous day as he made his way to question period.

“There is one (case) that is obvious, at Bedford School, Islamists who forbid girls from taking physical education classes, which is no small thing in Quebec,” Legault replied, before continuing on his way.

Roberge explained what he meant by radicalism, referring again to the situations described in the Bedford report.

He spoke of “separating boys from girls,” as well as “religious rituals in classrooms” and religious community organizations infiltrating schools.

Finally, he recalled the case of preacher Adil Charkaoui, who incited Montreal college students to enlist in jihad.

“Not recognizing (radicalization) is like burying your head in the sand,” Roberge warned.

Opposition parties asked the government to clarify its position.

Liberal Party House Leader Marwah Rizqy asked the premier to specify what he was talking about.

“It’s a loaded term. What is he referring to when he talks about an assault of Islamist radicalism?” she asked during a press scrum.

She pointed out that the recent report on strengthening secularism commissioned by the government made no mention of radical Islamism.

According to Québec solidaire, the premier should also denounce all other forms of radicalism, including masculinism.

“Obviously, at Québec solidaire, there is no support, appetite, or backing for radical Islamists, but there is also no support for the rise of the masculinist right, I will name it, and that was not part of the premier’s speech,” lamented QS MNA Guillaume Cliche-Rivard.

Finally, the Parti Québécois believes that radical Islamism exists and must be addressed, but condemned the terms used by Legault.

“The Bedford school case is very well documented, so when we talk about entryism, we have to say that most often it is Islamist entryism. We have to call things by their name,” said PQ MNA Joël Arseneau, denouncing the way the premier is addressing the issue.

“Once again, he is using superlatives. Does that contribute to the debate? Does it contribute to reflection and the development of public policies to ensure better coexistence in Quebec, equal opportunities for young people, and healthy debate?”

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews