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A man who describes himself as loving peace and pragmatism, Benferhat and a friend gathered a group of young Muslims to stand guard outside their city’s cathedral during the All Saints weekend getaway, to symbolically protect it and show solidarity with Catholic churchgoers.
Benferhat identified himself as “more French than anything else.” While his mother was born in Algeria, he was born in France and grew up speaking only French.
“But I am also a Muslim and we have seen Islamophobia in this country, and terrorism,” he told The Associated Press (AP). The Washington Post, Friday (6/11/2020).
“In recent years, I have felt annoyed, because every time Islamic extremist violence hits France, French Muslims face new stigmatization even though we have nothing to do with it,” he said.
He called the beheading of a teacher near Paris because he showed a caricature of the Prophet Muhammad in class for a debate on freedom of expression last month an act of extraordinary and unprecedented cruelty.(Also read: Teacher Beheaded for Cartoons of Prophet Muhammad, French Imam: We are Sorry)
Then when three people were killed last Thursday at the Notre Dame Basilica in Nice, Benferhat said he was so disgusted he wanted to do something to bring everyone to their senses.(Also read: Three Killed In Attack on Church in France, One Victim Beheaded)
Benferhat, who works for French oil company Total and coaches at a local football club, later spoke with a Muslim friend in Nice.
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