Al-Azhar, Egyptian observers and activists divided over boycotting French products

Egypt’s Al-Azhar, along with social media activists from Egypt and the Arab world, launched harsh campaigns against the French government for supporting the cartoons that offended the Prophet Muhammad.
An employee works in a shop near a banner reading "Boycott, We do not sell French products in this shop" on October 30,2020 in Istanbul. - Turkish President joined calls on October 26, 2020 for a boycott of French goods, ramping up a standoff between France and Muslim countries over Islam and freedom of speech. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP) (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)
An employee works in a shop near a banner reading "Boycott, We do not sell French products in this shop," Istanbul, Turkey, Oct. 30, 2020. in Istanbul. - OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images
am-globe.jpg
A correspondent in Egypt

Despite the crisis between Arab and Muslim countries and France over the cartoons of Charlie Hebdo newspaper, which offended the Prophet Muhammad, news agencies reported Nov. 3 that the Egyptian and the French navies executed joint naval drills in the Mediterranean.

The news of the joint drills angered some Egyptian, Arab and Muslim social media activists, especially those who launched Oct. 25 a campaign to boycott French products.  

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.

Videos

See more