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In a recent religious address, Algerian Sheik Ali Belhadj, former vice-president of the Islamic Salvation Front, said in response to the Paris attacks: "France cannot give us lessons in freedom of speech or in tolerance." He further said: "Do not force the Arab and Muslim countries to apologize or condemn [the attacks] because France killed our forefathers and did not apologize for it."
Following are excerpts from the address, which was posted on the Internet on January 10, 2014.
Sheik Ali Belhadj: France cannot give us lessons in freedom of speech or in tolerance. We know each and every one of them, and we can beat them at their own game. It is not for France… The Algerians in France went there because of the circumstances, not out of love for France.
It was France that colonized our country and killed our forefathers, but the new generation, the sons of the martyrs and of the mujahideen, are still capable of confronting France if it steps out of line.
Do not force the Arab and Muslim countries to apologize or condemn [the attacks], because France killed our forefathers and did not recognize for it. Did they apologize?
Listeners: No, they didn't.
Sheik Ali Belhadj: How many thousands did they kill in Algeria? And in Tunisia? Look what happened in Sakiet Sidi Youssef [in 1958]. Was that an example of freedom of speech? What about Morocco, which they colonized? What about Syria, which was under French mandate? France's crimes are innumerable. It should bury its head in the ground, rather than hold it high. What freedom of speech are they talking about? This is the freedom to curse. They cursed the Prophet Muhammad, the Quran, and Islam.
[…]
The courts of the Inquisition were held in Spain against the Muslims. Who was behind them? Was it Al-Qaeda?! Was it the Islamic State?! Was it the Muslim Brotherhood?! The courts of the Inquisition are well known in Spain. The [Europeans] colonized Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and other Arab countries. Now everybody is feeling sorry for them. Now France is saying that these people are savages. Who are the savages, us or them?
Listeners: Them.
[…]
Sheik Ali Belhadj: We have to understand that a huge international game is at play here. They say that if France wants to eliminate terrorism, it cannot do so in France itself. It must go to the countries from which terrorism comes. What is that? This is colonialism.
[…]
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