How should we respond to Islamic extremism after the Charlie Hebdo attacks? What do you know about Charlie Hebdo?

Which question is the most important question for the UK after this tragedy in France? Why? What do British Muslims have to say about it? Why did the two men responsible turn to extremism? Is it right to make fun of religion? How can we all work together to make everyone safe from extremism? How can we help France?

Akeela Ahmed As a British Muslim I have been shocked and dismayed by the Charlie Hebdo attacks. This shock has reverberated throughout communities in the UK, and with it comes a sense of dread of what is to come in the aftermath. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. But I am also fearful that these attacks will fuel anti-Muslim sentiments and hatred. I pray and hope that we will stand united against violence and hatred. Paul ArmstrongAt AoBM, we have maintained our differences with the editorial policies of Charlie Hebdo. We always have had questions about the judgment (but not the right) of publishing images which are predictably deeply offensive to many and have the potential to be inflammatory. However, at the same time we stand in support of freedom of expression and believe that there is no justification whatsoever to take lives of people who we disagree with while exercising this right. We note that the Qur’an instructs its believers to argue with the challengers in ways that are best and most gracious. The attacks in Paris symbolise nothing close to these Koranic instructions but instead represent a distortion of faith which is forgiving and open to debate.

The Charlie Hebdo attack makes me feel... After the Charlie Hebdo attack British Muslims... Islamic extremists in France murdering journalists working for the magazine Charlie Hebdo affects British people Muslim or not because... I think the video is good because... I think the purpose of the ‘Happy British Muslims’ video is... Some Muslims were spoke out against the video because... The video is an example of a good response to Islamic extremism because... The video is an example of a bad response to Islamic extremism because... Is this the right way to respond to issues of Islamic extremism after Charlie Hebdo?

Is this the right way to respond to issues of Islamic extremism after Charlie Hebdo?

Slide 1: Introduce the attacks on Charlie Hebdo and the response to it in France. Slide 2: Think, pair, share. Safe seat discussion on each question. Slide 3: Compare class conclusion from the last discussion to the answer these Muslims may give. Slide 4: Watch video. Make clear the video was produced before the attack. Students to talk through sentence starters. Slide 5: Class competition debate.