Understanding the Ideological Motivations and Lingering Debate on 'Islamism' a Decade After the November 13 Attacks

On November 13, 2015, Paris suffered a devastating series of terrorist attacks that resulted in 130 deaths, as the Islamic State (EI) claimed responsibility. The EI's core ideological aim was to violently establish an Islamic caliphate, expressing deep hatred for the West and France, calling Paris the "capital of abominations and perversion" according to their propaganda magazine "Dabiq" (ID 141424). This animosity was fueled by both ideological convictions and geopolitical factors related to the group's activities in the Middle East.

Ten years on, the public discourse in France remains sensitive regarding the terminology used to describe the ideological motivations behind such attacks. Despite the clear religious extremism guiding the attackers, there is reluctance among French society and media to use the term "islamism," fearing it may stigmatize the broader Muslim population, which largely practices its faith peacefully and within republican laws (ID 141604).

Riss, the director of Charlie Hebdo and a survivor of the attacks, highlighted ongoing difficulties in naming the threat's ideological roots, with commemorations often avoiding explicit mentions of islamism. Critics like François Ruffin have condemned this silence as potentially misleading or racializing politics. Prominent Muslim-origin writers argue that avoiding precise language exacerbates misunderstandings, echoing Albert Camus's warning that "Misnaming things adds to the world's misery."

Meanwhile, public opinion increasingly links the attacks to cultural and religious tensions, as well as immigration factors, demonstrating the complex layers that underpin the national conversation on terrorism and identity in France.

These discussions reveal that, even after a decade, the ideological motivations of the November 13 attackers and how France addresses them remain deeply intertwined with societal challenges and sensitivities.