Representatives of Muslim groups received by Macron following Islamophobic attack

Representatives of Muslim institutions in France were received on Tuesday, April 29, by President Emmanuel Macron, following the Islamophobic attack in La Grand-Combe. After the murder of Aboubakar Cissé in a mosque, the organizations denounced the «prevailing Islamophobic climate», often «amplified without restraint by certain media and political figures». According to a statement from the presidential entourage to AFP, the Head of State met with the rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris and the president of the Coordination of Muslim Associations of Paris to «express the Nation’s support».

During the meeting, Macron declared that «racism and hatred based on religion will never have a place in France», and reaffirmed that the Republic «guarantees freedom of conscience and the free exercise of worship», according to the same source.

In a joint communiqué, the two Muslim institutions confirmed that the president had reiterated the «inviolability» of freedom of worship and announced upcoming measures «to strengthen the protection of places of worship».

Chems-eddine Hafiz, rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris, and Najat Benali, president of the Coordination of Muslim Associations of Paris and rector of the Javel Mosque, said they had conveyed «the growing sense of anger and fear felt by many Muslims» across the country.

In their written statement, the two representatives emphasized that the authorities’ «failure to classify» the murder of 22-year-old Malian national Aboubakar Cissé as a terrorist act reinforces «a sense of unequal treatment and a troubling double standard».

Meanwhile, the Forum of Islam in France (FORIF) has requested a meeting with Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau for a «discussion session» that had already been scheduled «since mid-April». On Tuesday, a minute of silence was observed in the National Assembly in memory of Aboubakar Cissé.