France expels ‘radical’ Tunisian imam for flag slur

On Monday, France expelled a ‘radical’ Tunisian imam for making derogatory remarks about the French flag. The imam, who preached at a mosque in the southern city of Nice, was accused of inciting hatred and violence with his comments.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin tweeted that the imam had been deported for his “deliberate provocations and his calls for hatred and violence.” The decision to expel the imam was made in the interest of public order and national security.

This incident comes amid heightened tensions between France and the Muslim world, following the beheading of a French teacher who showed caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad in class. The French government has been cracking down on what it calls “radical Islam” in the country.

President Emmanuel Macron has defended France’s secular values and has vowed to fight Islamic extremism. The expulsion of the Tunisian imam is seen as part of the government’s efforts to clamp down on radical preaching and hate speech.

It is unclear where the imam will be sent back to Tunisia or to another country. The French government has not disclosed further details about the deportation.

Overall, this incident highlights the ongoing tensions between France and the Muslim community, and the government’s efforts to address radicalization and extremism within the country.