What are your thoughts on the French raids and closure of mosques?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:23:04 -0500

Following the attacks in Paris, France has raided and closed mosques in France.

Should the US and the rest of the world follow suite?

http://www.wsj.com/articles/french-authorities-close-four-mosques-during-state-of-emergency [login to see]

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/12/france-100-mosques-close [login to see] 23319.html

French Authorities Close Three Mosques During State of Emergency

French authorities have used sweeping powers under a state of emergency imposed after the Nov. 13 terror attacks to close down three mosques suspected of nurturing Islamist radicalization.

Response by SGT David T. made Dec 8 at 2015 3:34 PM

SGT David T. — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:34:15 -0500

I am not really surprised.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2015 3:40 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:40:58 -0500

I think we should remember that as with water the path of least resistance will likely be the route most will go. This is not to say we should have knee jerk reaction but we shouldn't leave ourselves open to harm. The problem is that we don't know where or when it will come next. The French didn't close down all the mosques, so they must have uncovered information regarding some activity at those which were closed down. Does closing the mosque make intelligence gathering harder? Driving them into other areas?

***I'm trying to say that I think countries which do not put up barriers, physical or otherwise will be where the terrorist will move to** They will move to where there is the least resistance to their entry.***

Response by MSG Gerry Poe made Dec 8 at 2015 3:41 PM

MSG Gerry Poe — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:41:21 -0500

Well my thought would be this, "they can do what they want"!

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Dec 8 at 2015 3:41 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:41:34 -0500

The French have the right idea.

Response by SSG Norman Lihou made Dec 8 at 2015 3:45 PM

SSG Norman Lihou — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:45:07 -0500

Considering the evidence found, it seems the French are tired of being reactive in nature, this is not a condemnation of all practitioners of the religion. The French went after underground prayer centers and mosques that were under suspicion because of other information.

Ammunition, ISIS propaganda found after France mosque closure
http://www.news24.com/World/News/ammunition-isis-propaganda-found-after-france-mosque-closure-20151206

Ammunition, ISIS propaganda found after France mosque closure

Kalashnikov ammunition and Islamic State propaganda videos have been seized in raids following the closure of a mosque in the Paris suburbs, French authorities say.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Dec 8 at 2015 3:47 PM

SSG Audwin Scott — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:47:24 -0500

Well with the recent attacks in France can you really blame them for being proactive and shutting down possible terrorist cells?

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Dec 8 at 2015 4:03 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 16:03:22 -0500

It's about time.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Dec 8 at 2015 4:22 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 16:22:51 -0500

I think it is a positive sign LTC Private RallyPoint Member of calling a spade a spade. The French have been taking in refugees from predominantly Muslim states such Algeria, Iran, Mali, and now Syria. The shifting politics of France has for the u=time being enabled a government that seems to be serious about going to the root of the terrorist problem namely the mosques where wahhabi islam is preached and terrorism nurtured.
I hope the UK and the USA follow suit in terms of closing down those mosques that are hotbeds of terrorism within our respective nations.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 8 at 2015 4:51 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 16:51:25 -0500

I expect a violent reaction as many Muslims live in densely Muslim areas and they hold the land.

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Dec 8 at 2015 5:38 PM

PO3 Sherry Thornburg — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 17:38:56 -0500

Depends on their reasoning under their laws. France doesn't play by our rules. We don't play by theirs.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Dec 8 at 2015 7:11 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 19:11:17 -0500

Looks like the French have defined their ROE's. If the mosque is being used for prayer services, religious education, and peaceful gathering of its congregation, ...well... it's off limits. However if the building is being used to coordinate attacks on its host, ...well.. it just became a target of interest. In the latter, the line between religious freedom and the government was effectively disposed.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2015 7:32 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 19:32:11 -0500

Having glanced at the posts made here I would suggest a few topics of research.

French colonialism.

French immigration policies.

French housing policies (in particular eviction policies).

The refusal of North African (Muslim) immigrants to conform to French social norms.

2005 French riots.

...and then try to argue why the French are being so aggressive.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Dec 8 at 2015 8:26 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 20:26:36 -0500

The key phrase here is, "to close down three mosques suspected of nurturing Islamist radicalization." We should do the same.

Response by MSgt Michelle Mondia made Dec 8 at 2015 8:39 PM

MSgt Michelle Mondia — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 20:39:26 -0500

I think we're two klicks away from putting them on trains and sending them to "camps". This is alarming. Whatever your opinion of Islam, we need to be make sure history does not repeat itself. Every cause needs a scapegoat.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Dec 8 at 2015 8:54 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 20:54:11 -0500

Does anyone know if the French authorities had "reason" to search the mosques other than the attacks? I am a great proponent of the rule of law. In the United States, an attack by Muslim terrorists would not warrant a search of a mosque with which they were not associated. French law is significantly different and I'm not sure of their requirements for a search warrant if, indeed, search warrants are used there. That being said, I will admit that I am not qualified to think much of anything about what they are doing in France. I only hope that here, in the US, we do things lawfully (and I hope that our law enforcement officials are paying attention to determine if searches may be warranted).