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Four Corners: July 20

This week, investigating the fault lines in France following the Charlie Hebdo terror attacks.

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This week on Four Corners, investigating the fault lines in France following the Charlie Hebdo terror attacks.

This report, A Nation Divided? comes from the BBC.

As night falls, a group of young men train hard in the gym, preparing for battle.

“They don’t want to live with us, why should we live with them? Islamist, if you want the war believe me you’ll get it!” Far Right Campaigner

Across town a young Muslim girl quits high school because she’s not allowed to wear Islamic clothes.

“I’m always told ‘you’re not French, your clothing isn’t French, your origins mean that you’re not French.’ So no I don’t feel French because of these people.” Young Muslim Woman

They are voices from France, a nation grappling with the aftermath of terror.

The parallels with the debate in Australia are striking: who should be held responsible for a terrorist attack? How should we respond as a nation? How do governments find the balance between protection and freedom?

In this often provocative story from the BBC, British/Pakistani journalist Shaista Aziz looks at the rising tide of anti Muslim feeling in France after the Charlie Hebdo terror attacks that claimed 12 lives.

“I asked him what was more offensive, my hijab or kebabs, and he actually said, ‘I don’t know I have to think about it.’ I mean you couldn’t make this stuff up!” Shaista Aziz, Journalist

She finds a nation questioning its very identity.

“We’ve created a lot of French people who are not French in their heart, just French on paper.” Marion Le Pen, France’s Youngest MP

From far right agitators who want to deport all foreigners to Muslim ‘comics’ who specialise in provoking outrage, she explores the difficult questions facing democratic nations around the world.

Monday 20th July at 8.30pm on ABC.

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