Ali Fodil to Medi 1 Sat: scarf issue is overstated

Echorouk newspaper’s general director Ali Fodil said debate about scarf is growing in an exaggerated way causing a lot of noise more than is needed. “Instead of that, a debate should have been opened about the Algerian people’s main issues.”

• “The Algerian State has the right to take the appropriate security procedures to protect individuals and society. The Algerian people suffered from terrorism and they are aware of security and stability value. That explains the biometric-related measures,” Ali Fodil told Moroccan channel Medi 1 Sat.
• “The Algerian interior minister should have opened a debate with scholars and the civil society to make things clear about the measures,” he added.
• He believes that the society can not help the government in the implementation of the measures while it does not accept them. “Technological discoveries showed that identity can be detected through more than 60 biological marks and not only by ears and hair.”
• “The ministry should have been flexible a little bit with this situation because it is a very sensitive issue and it has something to do with the society’s traditions.”
• Echorouk’s publisher also said Algeria is sovereign in its decisions about the judicial agreement it signed with the US. “Algeria does not have any intention to deport wanted people to other countries whatever they are. It was the first country to denounce the US air security measures as Algeria was included in the list of countries subjected to additional security measures in airports.”
• Speaking about the arrest of the man No 2 of the banned-Islamic Salvation Front (FIS), Ali Fodil said Ali Ben Hadj is known for his faithfulness to his ideas and principles. “He is always insisting on his positions at any cost.”
• He believes that the government has the right to implement the law on what it believes is extremism. “As an Algerian citizen, Ali Ben Hadj is allowed to express his opinions and the government has the right to implement the law.”
• Ali Fodil was the guest of “The Arab Maghreb in a Week” program prepared by the brilliant journalist Abdellah Al Ahmed.