Janet asked Joanne Harris:

You have written so gracefully about the challenges in France with the increased Muslim population in France in Peaches for Father Francis. I am wondering what you think we need to do going forward after the horrible attack in Paris and the recent shooting in San Bernadino, California. I would appreciate your insights on this. What are your thoughts?

Joanne Harris I don't pretend to be an expert, but this is what I think. We need to understand that the extreme beliefs of Muslim fundamentalists are not shared by the majority of Muslims. Apart from targeting Westerners, DAESH is also targeting those ordinary Muslims who live in the West, and are happy there, as well as those within in its sphere who don't conform to what they believe a Muslim should be. It's important that people, angry and afraid after these recent attacks, don't take out their feelings indiscriminately on all Muslims. That reaction is exactly what DAESH is hoping for; an escalation in resentment and a persecution of Muslims in the West. The thing DAESH hate most is to see non-Muslims living peacefully, side-by-side with Muslims; welcoming refugees; going about their daily lives; showing sympathy to those in distress. Hate merely escalates violence. Compassion diminishes it. That's what I think, and that's the way I want to live.

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