10 years since the Charlie Hebdo murders... Je suis Charlie! 🎗️

France’s secularism, known as laïcité (pronounced "lie-ee-see-tay"), is one of the strictest forms of secularism in the Western world. It enforces a strong separation between religion and the state, creating a society where free speech is deeply valued—even when it includes offensive satire or caricatures. This connection between secularism and free speech is central to French identity, allowing criticism of ideas, religions, and ideologies without fear of government interference.

However, the principle of free speech has its critics. While it's valid to debate whether mocking someone’s faith with offensive satires is ethical, responding with violence is never justified. As Voltaire famously said, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

This principle of free speech was tragically tested 10 years ago today in 2015, when Islamists attacked Charlie Hebdo, a satirical magazine, killing 15 staff members for publishing caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad.

Importantly, Charlie Hebdo targets all groups equally—satirizing Christians, Hindus, political ideologies, and more. Yet no other group has ever responded with such deadly violence.