Quote:

---

Ahmed Merabet, the police officer gunned down in the Charlie Hebdo attack, was killed in an act of barbarity by “false Muslims” his brother said in a moving tribute on Saturday, where he also appealed for unity and tolerance.

Speaking for a group of relatives gathered in Paris, Malek Merabet said the terrorists who ignored his brother’s plea for mercy as he lay wounded on the street may have shared his Algerian roots, but had nothing else in common.

“My brother was Muslim and he was killed by two terrorists, by two false Muslims,” he said. “Islam is a religion of peace and love. As far as my brother’s death is concerned it was a waste. He was very proud of the name Ahmed Merabet, proud to represent the police and of defending the values of the Republic – liberty, equality, fraternity.”

Malek reminded France that the country faced a battle against extremism, not against its Muslim citizens. “I address myself now to all the racists, Islamophobes and antisemites. One must not confuse extremists with Muslims. Mad people have neither colour or religion,” he said.

“I want to make another point: don’t tar everybody with the same brush, don’t burn mosques – or synagogues. You are attacking people. It won’t bring our dead back and it won’t appease the families.”

---

Quote:

---

It was the day Paris united. And with dozens of world leaders joining the millions of people marching to commemorate and celebrate the victims of last week’s terror attacks, it was also the day the world united behind the city.

“Today, Paris is the capital of the world. The entire country will rise up,” the French president, François Hollande, said.

It was the first time since the liberation of Paris in August 1944 that so many people – the interior ministry said there were too many to count but most estimates put it at somewhere between 1.5 million and 2 million – took to the streets of the city. An estimated 3.7 million took to the streets across the whole country.

As investigations continue into the attack on the offices of Charlie Hebdo magazine by Saïd and Chérif Kouachi, which left 12 dead on Wednesday, the killing of a female police officer the following day, and the attack on a Kosher supermarket by Amédy Coulibaly on Friday in which four died, the mood among the crowds in Paris was one of unity.

This was a nationwide outpouring of grief, solidarity and defiance. Parisiens of all ages, religions and nationalities turned out en masse not only to show their respect for the victims but their support for the values of the Republic: “liberté, égalité, fraternité” – freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

“On est tous Charlie” (We are all Charlie), they chanted, waving French flags, singing La Marseillaise, brandishing pens, pencils, placards and banners in French, English and Arabic.

Some read “Nous sommes la République” (We are the Republic) and “Je suis Muslim”. One child held a banner reading: “I am Charlie, I am the police, and no Chérif will take away my liberty.” Another young boy carried a placard reading: “Later I will be a journalist. I’m not afraid!”

“We are united – Muslims, Catholics, Jews, we want to live peacefully together,” one woman told reporters.

A group of marchers carried a large model of a pencil with “NOT AFRAID” written on the side.

---

Quote:

---

As a powerful mark of respect for those who died, the world leaders took second place, walking behind the families and friends of the victims of last week’s attacks.

Charlie Hebdo staff, including those who survived Wednesday’s attack, wore white headbands bearing the name Charlie.

In the leading cortege, tears streamed down faces etched with pain, grief and shock. Several mourners had to be gently supported as they made their way towards Place de la Nation.

In one poignant and profoundly emotional scene, Hollande hugged Patrick Pelloux, an A&E doctor who is also a journalist at Charlie Hebdo. Pelloux arrived late at the magazine office on Wednesday to find many of his colleagues had been slaughtered. He and other survivors have vowed to publish Charlie Hebdo next Wednesday despite the attack with a record print run of 1 million copies.

---

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Magonsdaughter:
In the aftermath of the Paris attacks....

Quote:

---

Ahmed Merabet, the police officer gunned down in the Charlie Hebdo attack, was killed in an act of barbarity by “false Muslims” his brother said in a moving tribute on Saturday, where he also appealed for unity and tolerance.

Speaking for a group of relatives gathered in Paris, Malek Merabet said the terrorists who ignored his brother’s plea for mercy as he lay wounded on the street may have shared his Algerian roots, but had nothing else in common.

“My brother was Muslim and he was killed by two terrorists, by two false Muslims,” he said. “Islam is a religion of peace and love. As far as my brother’s death is concerned it was a waste. He was very proud of the name Ahmed Merabet, proud to represent the police and of defending the values of the Republic – liberty, equality, fraternity.”

Malek reminded France that the country faced a battle against extremism, not against its Muslim citizens. “I address myself now to all the racists, Islamophobes and antisemites. One must not confuse extremists with Muslims. Mad people have neither colour or religion,” he said.

“I want to make another point: don’t tar everybody with the same brush, don’t burn mosques – or synagogues. You are attacking people. It won’t bring our dead back and it won’t appease the families.”

---

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/10/charlie-hebdo-policeman-m
urder-ahmed-merabet

Words worth noting.

Quote:

---

It was the day Paris united. And with dozens of world leaders joining the millions of people marching to commemorate and celebrate the victims of last week’s terror attacks, it was also the day the world united behind the city.

“Today, Paris is the capital of the world. The entire country will rise up,” the French president, François Hollande, said.

It was the first time since the liberation of Paris in August 1944 that so many people – the interior ministry said there were too many to count but most estimates put it at somewhere between 1.5 million and 2 million – took to the streets of the city. An estimated 3.7 million took to the streets across the whole country.

As investigations continue into the attack on the offices of Charlie Hebdo magazine by Saïd and Chérif Kouachi, which left 12 dead on Wednesday, the killing of a female police officer the following day, and the attack on a Kosher supermarket by Amédy Coulibaly on Friday in which four died, the mood among the crowds in Paris was one of unity.

This was a nationwide outpouring of grief, solidarity and defiance. Parisiens of all ages, religions and nationalities turned out en masse not only to show their respect for the victims but their support for the values of the Republic: “liberté, égalité, fraternité” – freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

“On est tous Charlie” (We are all Charlie), they chanted, waving French flags, singing La Marseillaise, brandishing pens, pencils, placards and banners in French, English and Arabic.

Some read “Nous sommes la République” (We are the Republic) and “Je suis Muslim”. One child held a banner reading: “I am Charlie, I am the police, and no Chérif will take away my liberty.” Another young boy carried a placard reading: “Later I will be a journalist. I’m not afraid!”

“We are united – Muslims, Catholics, Jews, we want to live peacefully together,” one woman told reporters.

A group of marchers carried a large model of a pencil with “NOT AFRAID” written on the side.

---

Quote:

---

As a powerful mark of respect for those who died, the world leaders took second place, walking behind the families and friends of the victims of last week’s attacks.

Charlie Hebdo staff, including those who survived Wednesday’s attack, wore white headbands bearing the name Charlie.

In the leading cortege, tears streamed down faces etched with pain, grief and shock. Several mourners had to be gently supported as they made their way towards Place de la Nation.

In one poignant and profoundly emotional scene, Hollande hugged Patrick Pelloux, an A&E doctor who is also a journalist at Charlie Hebdo. Pelloux arrived late at the magazine office on Wednesday to find many of his colleagues had been slaughtered. He and other survivors have vowed to publish Charlie Hebdo next Wednesday despite the attack with a record print run of 1 million copies.

---

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/11/paris-france-anti-terror-
rally-massive-show-unity

---

Quote:

---

The post is extremely relevant and to the point. These "terrorist" are nothing but thugs gone wild. The criminal element that exists throughout the world, and in Syria and Iraq they are taking advantage of the chaos and unrest to exploit the people. They see it as an opportunity to carry out their animalistic cravings and the most crass desires.

---

Quote:

---

Originally posted by G:

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Magonsdaughter:
Thank you.

Some more thoughtful discussion.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/11/charie-hebdo-dang
er-polarised-debate-paris-attacks

Reductive discussion is the flavour on these boards. Anyone got a platitude about Paris?

---

I thought all of those "leaders" marching together was very impressive, very courageous. All I could think was, "wow, that's a target rich opportunity." Yes, I wish Big O had been there, and not because it's all about the US (wah), it just would have been a great image and an even greater gesture, and gestures like that can mean a lot.

Some related articles:

How the Arab press reported the story of the massacre:

http://www.rferl.org/content/muslim-press-reacts-charlie-hebdo-attack/
26783014.html

Interesting thing about Sources... no where in Reuters early coverage of the Pope's comments about the event do they use the word "deviant" and yet FOX does.

http://in.reuters.com/article/2015/01/12/france-shooting-pope-idINKBN0
KL0Y520150112

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/01/12/pope-francis-says-fundamentali
st-terrorism-result-deviant-forms-religion/

Just pointing it out - strong words no matter which ones.

I think if these Islamist extremists aren't careful, they might just unite the rest of the world. < / cheeky >

---