This story was originally published on November 23, 2015 at 5:45 p.m. It's going to take time. After the recent attacks that left 130 people dead and put the entire metropolis on edge, the road back to normal for the citizens of Paris seems long, with fears about personal safety still paramount. The events of November 13 — the second terrorist assault in the city in 10 months — have also sparked a broader dialogue about the divisions of French society — along religious, ethnic, and economic lines.
After the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attacks, a number of Muslim organizations and world leaders quickly condemned its use of religion as a justification for violence. Others pointed out that it's wrong to assume that any Muslim who hasn't publicly denounced the attacks must somehow therefore support them.
Yet religious tension is high. In response, students from all faiths and backgrounds gathered in the Place de la République on Saturday, including members of the Young Muslim Students Association along with members of Coexister, an interfaith group. Their aim: to show their support for the victims and their families, as well as to promote dialogue after tragedy.
Refinery29 was there to meet them. "I think that religion is going to be a lot more ostracized after these attacks," Dominique Ryan, 20, a student from Detroit now at the American University in Paris, told us. "Paris is already not really that much of a religious place, and I think now it’s just going to become less accepting of religion. It’s really more to do with appearance, however. It’s not about being religious; it’s about looking different — having a different skin tone and different language."
Ahead, read what other young people in Paris, both French citizens and foreigners, had to say about the media conversation surrounding religion and the attacks, as well as how they hope to help heal Paris.
Students from Coexister, an interfaith dialogue group, and the Young Muslim Students Association join forces to launch a campaign at Place de la République, encouraging people to write words of unity.
Adeline Bernard, 23
Member of the Young Muslim Students Association
"We’re here today to say, 'Yes, we’re Muslim, and we’re equally touched by what happened as anyone else.' We are here to send messages of peace and love. It’s important to show that we aren’t passive, that we’re all touched by what happened. Even if we practice different religious beliefs, we’re all the same, we’re all human."
Maria Thomas, 24
Student from Bangalore, India, studying journalism and international affairs at Sciences Po
"I’m agnostic, even though I was raised Catholic, and I think my view of religion hasn’t changed so much since last Friday. The only thing that’s happened is that it’s really made me realize these attacks are not about religion — they targeted all people of all religions equally.
"If you go through the list of victims, you’ll see people of all religions. This attack was just a reminder that we have this huge problem of excluding people of a certain religion and the thing is, it’s not about that at all. In reality, it’s more of an attack against all of us as human beings. So I think my only conclusion after this is now, more than ever, we need to not separate ourselves into ‘us and them.’ These attacks should just be a reminder that we’re all the same.
"France and other parts of Europe need to reflect why this is happening and what makes people of a certain religion gravitate towards this form of response. For those of us that live here and are aware of the way things work in France, you can see there is a certain segment of society that has been marked as ‘different’ and they’re made to feel that way. These people need to be brought back into the fold. The solution isn’t bombing Syria; it’s really bringing these people together."
Despite a series of freezing rainstorms, mourners continue to lay flowers at the Place de la République to honor the victims of last week’s attacks.
Mourad Battikh, 30
Law professor at the University of Nanterre
"I am not afraid because I know my religion is love, happiness — it’s really peaceful. You can’t interpret Islam as a religion of darkness or death. I am not afraid because I know my religion," Battikh told Refinery29.
This past weekend, Battikh and several friends created a ‘United Umbrellas Campaign.’ Mourners at Place de la République were invited to stand under the umbrella for emotional support, whether that it be a hug, a discussion, or just someone to mourn with.
"The weather was really bad, so we brought some umbrellas and asked people if they wanted to come stand under them with us. It's a way to help people and create unity,” said Battikh.
"Several days ago, a man came here intending to stab himself because he lost his two daughters at Le Bataclan and was depressed. My friends and I saw him and, thank God, we stopped him. After talking to him, my friend Karim gave him a big hug and he agreed to go to the hospital. We hope he will be okay."
Mourad Battikh, 30, Kevin Conrath, 23, and Karim Aouad, 30
(from left)
Kevin Conrath: "I spoke with a young girl from Holland who moved to Paris a month ago. She’s a nanny in Paris, and she was afraid because she doesn’t understand what’s going on. She told me there’s a very strong conservative political movement in her country, and she’s afraid it’s going to become stronger after these attacks.
"It was important for us to tell her that our generation and youth in France are very well educated and not like that. We are accepting of other people, of different cultures. We are not like older generations. We know there is no difference between a Jew, Christian, Muslim, or any other religion.
"Maybe today there are people like [ultra-right-wing party leader] Marine Le Pen or other politicians, but the next generation won’t be like that. It’s just a question of time before things get better, and the mindset begins to change. For now, we have to listen to politicians who we don’t agree with, but in the future I know things will be different. We will think differently."
Karim Aouad, 30
Entrepreneur
"These terrorists are not people related to our religion. We believe in God, and these terrorists don’t represent God. They wanted to divide us. But we’re stronger — we’re united. As we saw earlier today, the place was filled with French, Muslims, Americans — all cultures."
Maud Yaiche, 17
Student and member of Coexister Paris, an interfaith dialogue
"A lot of people — like the terrorists — want division. We want to be united together. We are all Christian, Jewish, Muslims, Buddhists, Agnostic…
"I decided to take part in this kind of dialogue to create solidarity. I'm Jewish, and growing up, I didn’t have the chance to speak with a girl wearing a headscarf and ask questions that could be considered taboo. This dialogue lets you ask those questions and creates understanding. We are fighting for a society where people are not afraid of religion. I hope it won't become more difficult to have religion after these attacks, but I don’t know."
A sign reading "We are united" in multiple languages is carried through the crowd.
Yanis Boukerker, 15, Yanis Khelfa, 14, Akli Lacrim, 17
High school students
(from left to right)
Yanis Boukerker: "I'm worried, because I’m still only 15 years old, but soon I'm going to have to find a job. I’m worried it is going to be difficult for me because the way people in France will see me and my religion. It’s a shame, because I have nothing to do with jihadists. Terrorism is not Islam. Jihadists are not Islam. My family is open, and I believe everyone should be able to choose to practice whatever religion they want."
Akli Lacrim:"The terrorists aren’t me. They don’t have religion — they have terror. It’s like the Ku Klux Klan in the U.S., it’s the same with ISIS. Just as the KKK isn’t Christianity, ISIS is not Islam."
One week after the attacks, the interior of Café Bonne Biére, where five people were killed and eight others injured, receives a full cleaning.
Flowers and other memorabilia are laid in front of Café Bonne Biére, located at Rue de la Fontaine-au-Roi, where gunmen opened fire and killed five people. "Proud to be Parisian," the shirt reads.
Khelil Abde, 22
Student at Université Paris 8
Member of the Young Muslim Students Association
"Not a single religion agrees with these attacks. Religious people are not okay with these kinds of attacks. Nonbelievers are not okay with these attacks. We’re all united all for solidarity and all for humanity. All religions.”
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