In a commentary, SMU Associate Professor of Law Eugene Tan pointed out that it is absolutely essential to the fight against terrorism that the operational imperative of order and security be balanced against the critical need to ensure that the values a society holds dear are not compromised or undermined. It would be unfair and profoundly subversive to its social cohesion for France to expect the majority of its Muslims to take responsibility for the acts of a few. He added that what is at stake is the inclusiveness of the French national identity, heritage and values — its figurative soul.