The U.S. envoy on religious freedom is concerned about France, warning against “heavy-handed” measures as President Emmanuel Macron pursues Islam.

“I am concerned, obviously, for what’s happening in France,” Ambassador Sam Brownback told reporters when asked about Macron’s initiative.

“When you get heavy-handed, the situation can get worse,” he said, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Home to the largest population of Muslims in Europe with Islam the second-largest religion practiced in the country after Catholicism.

Shock ravaged the international community when two people were knifed outside the former offices of Charlie Hebdo in September, Samuel Paty was beheaded on October 16, and three people brutally killed inside Nice’s Notre Dame Basilica on October 29.

The Muslim community became a scapegoat for these wretched crimes.

While France vehemently backs the anti-Muslim inflammatory caricatures under the pretence of free speech, numerous agencies, newspapers and magazines have been removing articles and changing their content on the orders of the French government. Since the beginning of November, the French government has managed to muscle their way in and affect the actions of four major news outlets.

Last month, Macron said he will not foil the publishing of the cartoons under the pretext of freedom of speech, sparking outrage among the Muslim world.

Multiple protests and boycotts against French products have taken place all around the world upon Macron’s anti-Muslim remarks.

Source: DailySabah.com