The man who troubled France: I'm on my way to pay the fines to Muslim women, fighting

Rashid Nekkaz has entered and is continuing to enter history like the man who has taken on the task of paying the fines imposed on women who are being punished for stocking, nibabi or hyjabi, in public places of some European states. But meanwhile, he pays fines and otherwise, as is the case with Iranians.

Why are you doing this? In an interview for Turkey's Yeni Safak, businessman and Algerian activist, he says he does so only in the name of human freedoms and not in the name of religion.

Neckaz, above all, we would like to know more about you. Can you tell us about your activities?

I am the President of the League of Human Rights, Hassiba, who protects civil liberties in Algeria and around the world. Thanks to my financial independence, I have the means to pay the fines, like those women wearing nikcabs in Europe, like those for which they refuse to wear hyjab in Iran

You're an Algerian businessman and a politician. What is it like to be successful in a country like France?

In 2013, I gave up my French citizenship because I cannot support the enemy, the discrimination policies of the French government that kill freedom and systematically target Muslims with unfair laws. France does not respect the success of those who oppose its laws. They don't like it when they make fun of a Muslim who is modern. France has used everything that could discredit me in the eyes of national and international public opinion; unfair tax audits, slander through press, media boycott, a series of accusations and judgments

Why do you feel the need to support nikkab /burka and hyjab?

I'm not a theologian. I am a universal human rights activist who took philosophy and history seriously during studies in Sorbonne. I'm loyal to Volter's teachings, solely to the freedom to wear nicotine in Europe, even though they object to it personally. But I also defend the freedom of women not to keep the hyjab in Sudan and Iran. I was in Tehran, Iran, on March 8, 2018, to mediate the release of 29 women who were arrested for the removal of hyjab in public. I thank Iranian authorities for their release during my stay, which took place on International Women's Day.

What do you think of Islamophobia, especially in France and Europe?

Today, France is no longer the one since the 1980s. It has become more allergic to Islam and Muslims. Islamophobia has become a religion of the State of France. Unfortunately, since 2010, other European countries have followed this trend of Islamophobia, voting laws that discriminate against Muslim women, such as Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Austria, Bulgaria, Germany and Denmark. I personally have to intervene in all these countries to neutralise these unjust laws and guarantee freedom of dress through payment of all fines.

How many Muslim women have so far been punished and subsequently compensated by you?

Since 2010 I have paid 1,552 fines, in the amount of 315 thousand euros, including legal costs in these European countries.

Do you think that freedom can be restricted by punishment, and is that not contrary to Europe as the country of freedom?

I believe that the governments of Europe have begun to revive their totalitarian positions of the 17th century when Catholics killed Protestants because of their religion “disadidente”. Today, the same countries are making mistakes, believing that they can reduce or limit public freedoms by simply setting fines. But through my establishment in 2010, I'm showing you that a determined individual can effectively and peacefully fight the laws that kill freedoms. (sighs)