Conservative Star Marion Maréchal Fights Against Islamization: 'I Don’t Want Ramadan to Become a French Holiday, Like Christmas or Easter' (Video)

Marion Maréchal, a leading figure in French conservatism and a candidate for the Reconquest Party in the upcoming European Union elections, has sparked controversy with her recent remarks advocating for limitations on commercial advertising associated with Ramadan in public spaces. In a detailed conversation on a popular television show on Friday, March 15, Maréchal outlined her concerns about the growing influence of Islamization in French society and highlighted instances of societal pressure linked to the observance of Ramadan. Maréchal emphasized her dedication to safeguarding French cultural identity amidst the rising tide of Islamization.

Maréchal, known for her outspoken stance on conservative values and French nationalism, took center stage on a recent episode of “Touche pas à mon poste,” where she engaged in a powerful conversation about her proposal to curtail commercial advertising related to Ramadan in public spaces. The discussion unfolded with a pointed inquiry from a Muslim viewer, Suleiman, who sought clarification on Maréchal’s position given his Muslim identity.

In response, Maréchal provided a comprehensive overview of her motivations, framing her proposal within the increasing Islamization of French society, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan. She expressed outrage at the pervasive saturation of Ramadan-related advertisements in public spheres, citing examples such as dedicated television programs and interruptions to public projects due to Ramadan customs.

“I don’t want Ramadan to become a French holiday today, like Christmas or Easter because I am attached to a certain identity, a certain French culture that comes to us from afar,” Maréchal said.

Societal Concerns

Maréchal also addressed a pertinent question raised by a Jewish viewer, highlighting the nuanced differences between Ramadan and other religious celebrations. During the conversation, Suleiman, the Muslim viewer, queried, “Does it also bother you when there is Hanukkah, when they celebrate…” Maréchal acknowledged the distinction, emphasizing that the omnipresence of Ramadan in contemporary society has significant consequences. She underscored the prevalence of controversies and societal pressures associated with Ramadan observance, particularly mentioning incidents of organized pressure in certain neighborhoods, often affecting specific individuals, including women of Muslim culture who face scrutiny over dietary practices.

Maréchal voiced apprehensions about the “Islamization” of French society, highlighting instances like the special broadcast of “The Great Night of Ramadan” on France2 and the suspension of public works in Lyon during Ramadan as signs of an altered public space in France.

Throughout the dialogue, Maréchal drew attention to specific instances of conflict associated with Ramadan observance, spotlighting incidents where individuals faced physical assault or societal ostracization for deviating from the holiday’s customs. She pointed to specific, alarming events:

• The assault on a 13-year-old boy in Lyon for eating a lollipop during Ramadan, which Maréchal cited as evidence of extreme social pressure to observe fasting.
• The beating of a 45-year-old Senegalese man in Lyon’s Quartier de la Guillotière for drinking coffee publicly during Ramadan illustrates tensions around visible non-fasting behavior.
• An incident where a waitress in Nice was attacked for serving alcohol during Ramadan underscored the clash between religious observances and personal freedoms.

According to Maréchal, these incidents are symptomatic of a larger issue of enforced conformity and the invasive impact of religious observances on public and private life in France. Furthermore, she touched on the subtler forms of social pressure, such as children feeling compelled to hide while eating in schoolyards to avoid judgment for not fasting, underscoring the pervasive atmosphere of scrutiny and the implications for French secularism.

Maréchal argued that these incidents reflect a larger issue where the omnipresence of Ramadan in public life imposes on the secular nature of the French public sphere and individual liberties.

Commercial Impact:

A notable aspect of Maréchal’s discussion involved the commercial implications of Ramadan’s observance, citing the situation with the Evian water brand. Maréchal highlighted how Evian, among other brands, faced backlash for promoting their products during Ramadan, leading to public apologies. This incident served as a case study for Maréchal’s critique of the undue pressures on companies to navigate religious observance sensitively, reflecting her concerns about the “ghettoizing” atmosphere and social pressures impacting commercial activities and marketing strategies.

Maréchal calls for France to carefully examine the public and commercial manifestations of Ramadan and their alignment with the nation’s secular values. She advocates for safeguarding French culture and rejecting manifestations linked to Islamic Sharia. Her insights contribute to an ongoing national debate on the Islamization of France and other European countries due to mass illegal migration.

It is worth mentioning that while many cultures have enclaves within France and other Western nations, only Islam imposes its customs and rituals on the rest of society, setting it apart from other cultures that may immigrate to the West.

As France prepares for the European Union elections at the beginning of June, Maréchal’s reflections resonate with broader discussions on national identity. Leading the widely popular conservative Reconquête! Party in the campaign to elect a new European Parliament, she competes with her aunt Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National, which has recently taken a much less powerful stance against the threat of Islam that it poses to France.