French Muslim Journalist Myriam Francois recently published a short report on the BBC regarding Oxford professor, Tariq Ramadan’s case. Linking it to the #MeToo movement on the back end of last year being largely characterized by the many reports surfacing from a number of women who had been sexually assaulted by men who are leaders in their respective industries.

https://twitter.com/MyriamFrancoisC/status/1041962930655449088

The report illustrated some intricacies of the case thus far, including an interview from Tariq Ramadan’s son, Sami Ramadan and a documented open letter of support from academics who stand by his right for due process such as, Aminata Traore, Noam Chomsky, and Ken Loach.

“It is not for us to judge Tariq Ramadan’s guilt or innocence but we respectfully ask has Mr. Ramadan, has a fair and equitable legal process, one in which he is assumed innocent until proven guilty? Is there one form of justice for Muslims in France, and one for everywhere else?”

The report descends as a few personal slights are made about Ramadan’s character, as Francois references how he admits to having extramarital affairs, “this was a man with a squeaky-clean image who lectured on how to live as a good Muslim and that definitely means no sex outside of marriage.” This is followed by the journalist asking, “do you think what your dad has done is wrong?”  to Sami Ramadan, the academic’s son, who said, ” I think every human being does things that are wrong, yes I know my dad makes mistakes the same way I make mistakes, the way every human being makes mistakes, this is not what this story is about, its about a crime, and I believe he did not commit this crime.”

Many online users had split opinions on the documentary, due to what they felt was Francois’ lack of impartiality as a journalist, using her privileges to navigate the Muslim community to gain the trust of the Ramadan family. By creating a focus on the professor’s character in the context of how good or bad a Muslim he is, which was presented with the absence of a report on the extreme neglect, from French authorities, of his basic human rights, leading to a dramatic decline in his health without access to medication for his Multiple Sclerosis. The professor’s illness has worsened considerably since being put in isolation.  Ramadan has still been prevented from the right to a fair trial, with due process. However, after some probing of the prosecutor for Ramadan’s case in the report, the courts replied with “the expert himself has declared that his state of health is compatible with his detention.” There was also speculation about the report not unpacking the intricacies of the case regarding the plaintiff Hind Ayari who had changed her story a number of times. Many felt, due to this, it was largely impartial.

Maryam Ramadan, his daughter told us, “We are shocked by the BBC World Service coverage of the Tariq Ramadan’s case. The journalist, Myriam François, abused Ramadan family’s trust on three essential accounts:

1. She did not mention the contradictions, the lies and the troubling links between the plaintiffs.

2. She cut and deliberately quoted my brother, Sami Ramadan’s responses out of context.

3. One of the plaintiff’s lawyer was interviewed while the responses of Tariq Ramadan’s lawyer (whom she interviewed for an hour) were completely dropped from the coverage.

It is disturbing to see the BBC descend to journalism “à la française”. So biased, so disappointing. Nonetheless, we are heartened to receive a huge amount of support from all quarters highlighting the gross neglect of due process in this case.”

---

Related

Why you need to support the #FREETARIQRAMADANCAMPAIGN

---

Here is how Twitter reacted

Can I ask about the inclusion of the “squeaky clean persona” Vs the affairs? It’s not how “good of a Muslim” he is thats up for judgment. It’s his right to a fair trial and treatment as held to international standards. Thought that was an odd thing to include

— Rumana (@lil_pomegranate) September 18, 2018

True in the long term for if/when he gets released/post-trial and his career/position in the future. But the context of the report seemed to be talking about the case now which is why I struggle to see the relevance, and not see it framed as “he had affairs->he’s a bad person”

— Rumana (@lil_pomegranate) September 19, 2018

https://twitter.com/Seditious_medic/status/1042155276684734470

Brilliantly done! A balanced piece with important questions. Thank you, Myriam

— Amanullah De Sondy (@desondy) September 18, 2018

https://twitter.com/curieBosphorus/status/1041979488693874688

https://twitter.com/GeekFatimah/status/1042672423198437376

https://twitter.com/GeekFatimah/status/1042671091481751552

https://twitter.com/ZaiNoted/status/1042535923286765578

https://twitter.com/ZaiNoted/status/1042537819703533569

https://twitter.com/GeekFatimah/status/1042671091481751552

https://twitter.com/GeekFatimah/status/1042671091481751552

.@BBCNews’ choice of title could’ve been better but this clip by @MyriamFrancoisC about #metoo & Prof Tariq Ramadan is gripping. Sexual predators exist in all walks of life but this case is tangled with accusations of racism. https://t.co/ZX5Vk3fk6K

— Dr Zubaida Haque (@Zubhaque) September 18, 2018

The first plaintiff has a history of being lying and was contradicted by her own friend as she changed the story many times.
Let's see for the others.

— Zohaib Maqsood Photograph (@zmphotography12) September 18, 2018

The whole point of #MeToo was to give historically abused victims voice, power & recourse to justice. The issue here is not whether the victims should be believed or not; the issue is that racism may jeopardise the case & deny justice to victims #TariqRamadan

— Dr Zubaida Haque (@Zubhaque) September 18, 2018

The first plaintiff has a history of being lying and was contradicted by her own friend as she changed the story many times.
Let's see for the others.

— Zohaib Maqsood Photograph (@zmphotography12) September 18, 2018

.@MyriamFrancoisC Your report is excellent & it sends a strong message to people who have abused their profession position. We need more women to speak out in the UK, esp in the #AsianMedia & culture industry where #MeToo is also happening & women are remaining quiet. #honour

— Dawinder Bansal FRSA (@DawinderBansal) September 20, 2018

https://twitter.com/nadeem_murtuja/status/1042147355640909824

reporting facts , neutral perspective, job well done esp when so many distortions r being presented #TariqRamadan

— SA (@sabmq) September 20, 2018