Abdellah Zekri: Algerian officials “beg” France to grant nationality to their children

Abdellah Zekri, a member of the French Muslim Council criticized Algerian senior officials for “begging” their French counterparts to give French nationality to their children. “Such a behavior hits Algeria’s reputation abroad,” he told Echorouk in an interview.

Firstly, what do you think about Sarkozy as he came back to the extremist right wing?

Sarkozy plays a lot to reach power. He wants to gain voices through his continuous campaigns against Islam and Muslims. He was behind many discrimination-related problems triggered between Algerians and French. A total of 60 percent of Muslims living in France have French nationality. When Sarkozy lost the last vote, he said he would not come back to politics. Yet, he came back and is trying to give an image about himself as France’s saver from the economic and political crisis. Unfortunately, he started talking again about family immigration, religion and what is happening in Syria and Iraq. He criticized Muslims and supports Israel’s position against the Palestinian cause. He declared war on Muslims and Islam because he believes that it is a dangerous religion. He also criticized people who go to Syria and Iraq for jihad but he did not say that 40 percent of them are French converts.

Speaking about people who go to Syria, some websites said they may be deprived from French nationality. Is it true?

Yes, it is. French foreign minister and the right wing in France call for depriving those people from nationality. Because of that, I think that the situation is very difficult.

How is the relation between the left wing and Algerians living in France? Do you think that Hollande repaired damage caused by Sarkozy?

Hollande faces a problem with no solution.

What do you mean?

His private life is published in newspapers. He could not manage French economy. The issue of Algerians living in France and Muslims’ problems are secondary. For instance, the social wing including President Hollande does ot care about the Islam issue. Yet, we have relations with them. Many Algerian officials are keeping silent as if the issue of the Algerians living in France is not of their business.

Why is the West afraid of Islam?

Islamophobia includes racist people who like to fuel racism and conflict between Muslims and non-Muslims. Yet, the real reason behind the image about Islam and Muslims in the West is due to TV channels. They show that Muslims are terrorist.