A French Muslim singer has quit France’s The Voice TV show after being criticised for comments she made about terrorism and the French government on social media.
French media reported that in a post about the attack in Nice, in which 86 people were killed on Bastille Day, Mennel Ibtissem said: “It’s good it has become a routine, one attack a week! “And to always remain faithful the ‘terrorist’ took his identity papers with him. It’s true that, when you’re planning a dirty move, you don’t forget to take your papers.”
The message reportedly included the hashtag “#PrenezNousPourDesCons”, meaning “take us for idiots”.
Weeks later, after men burst into a church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray killing an elderly priest, she said: “The real terrorist is our government.”
The social media comments, which have now been deleted, emerged after her acclaimed performance on the programme.
Pressure also piled on broadcaster TF1, The Voice’s producers, to remove the singer from the competition.
Others, however, came to the singer’s defence, saying she was being unfairly targeted for being a Muslim.
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest news and updates from around the Muslim world!
After the posts emerged, Ms Ibtissem apologised, saying she “obviously condemned terrorism”. But on Friday, she announced she was leaving the programme.
“[I’ll] keep spreading my message of peace and tolerance, far from all types of fanaticism.”
