The Grand Mosque of Paris is concerned about a rise in Islamophobia. It has condemned the “degradations, insults, and threats” that recently targeted the mosques in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (Manche) and Valence in connection with the murder of young Thomas in the Drôme, and denounced “the racist violence of neo-Nazi militias.”
“In several cities in France, far-right groups have organized racist attacks – actually, real ratonnades – during which hateful slogans targeting citizens of the Muslim faith were uttered,” said Chems-eddine Hafiz, rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris, in a statement.
“These acts are unacceptable,” he added, pointing out “attacks carried out to further destabilize religious coexistence and national unity.”
The Grand Mosque is once again concerned about “the release of anti-Muslim speech in certain media and by certain political figures.” “The unbearable death of young Thomas in Crépol, which we condemn and regret, cannot justify the racist violence of neo-Nazi militias.”
On Saturday night, dozens of identitarian militants, wearing masks, from all over France, gathered in Romans-sur-Isère (Drôme) “to fight,” according to the authorities, with young people from the Monnaie district, some of whom are believed to be involved in Thomas’s death.
The French Council of Muslim Worship (CFCM), one of the associations representing Muslims in France, has denounced a “Nazi ratonnade in Romans-sur-Isère” and criticized the “deception of the alleged de-demonization of the far right.”
The CFCM has lost its role as a dialogue body between the Muslim faith and the state since late 2021, and the Forum of Islam in France (Forif) has been created in its place. However, the CFCM continues to exist, now equipped with new statutes.
