France to bar entry to radical Islamists
Sarkozy aide says Muslim Brotherhood members won’t be able to attend a conference in France
Ilan Ben Zion, a reporter at the Associated Press, is a former news editor at The Times of Israel. He holds a Masters degree in Diplomacy from Tel Aviv University and an Honors Bachelors degree from the University of Toronto in Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations, Jewish Studies, and English.
The French government will bar entry to two radical Islamic activists if they accept an invitation extended by a French Muslim organization, an aide to President Sarkozy said on Sunday.
Henri Guaino said the government would ban the entry of Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi and Mohammed al-Masri if they accept an invitation to attend a Union of French Islamic Organizations event next week.
“The French government does not want any extremist preachers entering its territory,” Guaino told French Radio J.
Although al-Qaradawi holds a diplomatic passport, Guaino said France will take measures to prevent his entry.
The government’s announcement follows a declaration by Sarkozy to crack down on radical Islam in the wake of a spate of al-Qaeda-inspired shootings in Toulouse by Mohamed Merah.
Al-Qaradawi is a widely respected Egyptian Sunni preacher who broadcasts a popular show entitled “Shariah and Life” on Al-Jazeera. Al-Masri, Israel Radio reported, is another Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood activist.
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