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Paris Grand Mosque Marks 100 Years Amid Concerns Over Muslim Acceptance
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates /Culture & Society

Paris Grand Mosque Marks 100 Years Amid Concerns Over Muslim Acceptance

From Gulf Today · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Paris' Grand Mosque is celebrating its 100th anniversary, marking a century since its construction to honor Muslim soldiers from French colonies who fought in World War I.
  • The mosque is now a significant landmark in the Latin Quarter and a symbol of interfaith dialogue and France's diversity, according to its rector.
  • Despite its historical importance, the mosque's rector and worshippers express concerns about rising religious tensions, misunderstanding of Islam, and discrimination faced by Muslims in France, particularly amid the upcoming presidential election campaign.

Paris' Grand Mosque, a century-old landmark, is celebrating its centenary, reflecting on its role in French society and the experiences of Muslims in France today. Erected to honor Muslim soldiers from French colonies who fought for France in World War I, the mosque has become an integral part of the capital's Latin Quarter.

It’s the responsibility of everyone to see Muslims as a part of the national community.

— Chems-eddine HafizThe rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris on inclusivity.

Rector Chems-eddine Hafiz views the mosque as a symbol of interfaith dialogue and France's diversity. "It’s the responsibility of everyone to see Muslims as a part of the national community," Hafiz told The Associated Press. He noted that French President Gaston Doumergue, at the mosque's inauguration in 1926, declared that France's diversity strengthened its national community, a message Hafiz believes remains unchanged.

When it was built, French President Gaston Doumergue made a declaration reminding us that France’s diversity could only reinforce its national community.

— Chems-eddine HafizRecalling the mosque's founding principles.

However, Hafiz also voiced concerns about the current climate, stating, "The problem lies in people’s attitudes. Today, anti-Muslim acts are still being committed against Muslims. Islam is often misunderstood, and talking about Muslims or Islam can trigger hostility." These sentiments are amplified by the polarizing presidential election campaign, which has seen far-right rhetoric targeting Islam and immigration.

The problem lies in people’s attitudes. Today, anti-Muslim acts are still being committed against Muslims. Islam is often misunderstood, and talking about Muslims or Islam can trigger hostility.

— Chems-eddine HafizExpressing concerns about current anti-Muslim sentiment in France.

Worshippers attending the centenary prayers shared similar anxieties. Fatma Chouchane, a volunteer at the mosque, lamented restrictions on Muslim women wearing headscarves in French schools and some workplaces, appealing for religious freedom. As France's second-largest religion, Islam is practiced by the largest Muslim population in Western Europe, yet many French Muslims continue to face discrimination and stigma, which have worsened following extremist attacks in recent years.

I ask France to leave these people alone” and let them make their religious choices.

— Fatma ChouchaneA volunteer at the mosque advocating for religious freedom.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Gulf Today in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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