France Opens Investigation After Suspect Steals, Burns Quran
Rabat – French police have opened an investigation after receiving a complaint condemning the Islamophobic act of an individual reported to have targeted a new mosque in the Villeurbanne district in Lyon.
AFP quoted a police source as confirming that French security services received a complaint against a man who entered a mosque to steal a copy of the Quran and set it on fire over the past weekend.
Mayor of Villeurbanne Cedric Van Styvendael condemned the act, describing it as another reprehensible Islamophobic attack in his city he described as peace-loving and tolerant.
He also expressed his support for the city's Muslims, especially the community of faithful at the targeted mosque.
The online collective 'Musulmans de France' also expressed full solidarity with the Conseil des Mosquées du Rhone and the Errahma mosque in Villeurbanne, which was targeted in the new Islamophobic act.
'The burning of a copy of the Quran, just minutes before the dawn prayer, is part of a troubling wave of attacks against Muslims in France,' the group said, noting a remarkable increase in Islamophobic acts in France over the past few years.
'This is not a random incident — it is a direct attack on freedom of worship and the dignity of millions of citizens. We call for firm measures and exemplary prosecution. It is time to act with responsibility,' Musulmans de France said .
In recent months, France has been the theater of national marches against racism and Islamophobia.
The marches and rallies came after the heinous Islamophobic attack that Olivier A. carried out against a Muslim man inside a mosque in France.
The defendant stabbed Aboubakar Cisse, a Muslim living in France, around 40 to 50 times while he was praying.
He also insulted God, Islam, and Muslims as he filmed his horrific murder.
Following the Islamophobic attack, many other mosques and Muslims have faced similar attacks over the past months.
In May, French police opened an investigation after a man left a voicemail in which he threatened to slit the throats of Muslim targets.
'You are filthy Muslim sh****(…). You want to play the victims, filthy pigs… We're going to slit your throats,' the caller said on the phone's voicemachine, according to Le Parisian. Tags: France islamophobiaIslamophobia in Europe
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
25 minutes ago
- Morocco World
Assets of Tebboune's Sons in France Face Potential Asset-Freezing Measures
Rabat – Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune could face a new scandal amid reports on France's potential freezing of the assets of about 20 Algerian dignitaries. Mohamed Sifaoui, a French-Algerian investigative journalist, has revealed that two of Tebboune's sons, Mohamed and Khaleld, hold assets in France. Sifaoui made his remarks during an interview with Algerian journalist Abdou Semmar. During the interview published this week, the journalist claimed that while Tebboune may have no assets in France, his sons do. These assets could be seized and frozen by French authorities, which would see bilateral tensions escalate even further since the two countries started exchanging hostile diplomatic decisions in the aftermath of France's endorsement of Morocco's position on the Western Sahara dispute. Sifaoui made several other revelations, including pointing out the abuse of power by the Algerian regime. He said that Mohamed Tebboune was entrusted by his father with a government advisory role despite his lack of experience. Mohamed Tebboune also has connections with Turkish businessmen, he suggested, adding that this would eventually land him in jail when his father's mandate ends. 'They own commercial properties, stock assets, etc. What we call financial assets in other words, wealth… both of them have assets in France,' the Algerian journalist said, noting that this is 'confirmed information.' The journalist slammed the Algerian president for criticizing France while his sons have financial holdings there, noting that he not only relies on information from government reports but also verifies and fact-checks information himself. 'That's why I haven't published it yet,' he said. 'I have the names and will probably publish them by the end of the week. But among those are the two sons of Abdelmadjid Tebboune.' Sifaoui and his interviewer then both launched into a debate about the hypocrisy of the Algerian ruling class, slamming Algeria's establishment for claiming to adopt an anti-French policy while their children and families hold active assets in France. This is not the only bombshell revelation Sifaoui made about the Algerian regime's involvement in similar scandals. Beyond the regime's interference in the domestic affairs of other countries, a new comprehensive investigation has shed light on clandestine operations allegedly orchestrated by the Algerian regime on French soil. Last month, French outlet Le Journal du Dimanche reported that, under President Tebboune, the Algerian government has been actively involved in a campaign to suppress opposition voices abroad. A senior French security official, speaking on condition of anonymity to the news outlet, said: 'We possess reliable intelligence confirming that Algerian services did not act independently.' This includes attempts to abduct or intimidate prominent dissidents residing in France, such as YouTube r Amir DZ and journalist Abdou Semmar. Algeria and France have experienced political tensions for months. According to L'Express, France is now considering freezing the assets of several dignitaries of the Algerian regime. There have also been exchanges of hostile measures from both countries, including travel restrictions against officials from both sides. In recent years, both countries have taken measures to expel officials or made other similar measures. In May, diplomatic sources told AFP that Algeria was planning to expel more French officials. In response, French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot confirmed that ties between France and Algeria were 'completely frozen.' Tags: algeria and francerelations between Algeria and France
Morocco World
6 hours ago
- Morocco World
Over 1.5 Million Muslims Pray at Mount Arafat in Key Ritual of Hajj
Rabat – Over 30,000 Moroccans are part of over 1.5 million Muslims who are praying today at Mount Arafat, one of the key Hajj rituals. As part of the Islamic pilgrimage, millions of Muslims ascend the mount, which is a 70-meter-high hill situated 20 kilometers from Mecca. The day commemorates the final sermon delivered by the Prophet Muhammad. Pilgrims spend the entire day — from dawn to sunset — praying. The day is seen as an opportunity for deep spiritual reflection and connection with God. Missing the Arafat ritual invalidates the Hajj. Millions of Muslims across the world fast during the Arafat ritual. In Islam, this is believed to expiate the sins of the previous year and the coming year. Mount Arfat is also known as Jabal al-Rahma or the Mount of Mercy. Today's ritual is undergoing amid scorching temperatures, reaching 40 degrees Celsius. Saudi authorities pledged measures to ensure the success of the Hajj season, including establishing the world's largest cooling system in Mecca. This comes after tragic deaths in last season's Hajj due to heat waves that killed over 1,200 people, including 20 Moroccans. Following the Arafat ritual, pilgrims will leave for Muzdalifah, between Arafat and Mina, to collect pebbles for the stoning of the devil ritual. The ritual commemorates when Prophet Ibrahim rejected the devil's temptation as he prepared to sacrifice his son Ismael. Following the ritual, Muslims celebrate Eid Al Adha, marking the Feast of Sacrifice. It commemorates Abraham's devotion and willingness to follow God's command. Eid Al Adha is also a holiday across the Muslim world. In Morocco, the public sector will enjoy the weekend in addition to Monday, which the government has granted as a special holiday. One of the five pillars in Islam, Hajj is an obligation for all Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake the journey at least once in their lifetime. Tags: Hajj 1445Mount Arafat
Morocco World
6 hours ago
- Morocco World
Cote d'Ivoire's President Ouattara Bans Opposition to Consolidate Power
Rabat – Cote d'Ivoire's young democratic journey is backsliding as the incumbent president looks to tighten his grip on a presidency he is no longer supposed to run for. In a move aimed at strengthening his position of power in the Ivorian political makeup, President Alassane Ouattara has banned the most influential presidential candidates from the 2025 election. President Ouattara originally came to power in 2010 after an election against then incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo turned into a civil war, which killed 3000 people. Ouattara changed the constitution in 2016 to allow himself to run for a third term in 2020, and Ivorians fear he will stand again for reelection in 2025. He has also been accused of gradually becoming increasingly autocratic throughout his presidency. A popular opposition figure, particularly among young voters, Tidjane Thiam of the Democratic and Peace Party had been rising quickly in the polls. In addition to being the nephew of the country's first President Houphouet-Boigny, Thiam is widely perceived as experienced and competent to run a country that often prides itself as the economic leader in Francophone West Africa. Disqualifying popular candidates Despite Thiam receiving overwhelming support within his party and his popularity among younger Ivorians, a court blocked his bid to become presidential candidate in April 2025. The court notably cast doubt on Thiam's Ivorian nationality, arguing that his holding of French citizenship made him unreliable as the future leader of a sovereign nation. Thiam has contested what he sees as a political trial, noting that he had renounced his French citizenship long before launching his bid to become president of Cote d'Ivoire. And this week, in a decision that has polarized the West African nation and sent it into crisis, the Independent Electoral Commission announced banning Tidjane Thiam from the electoral list. Even more controversially, the ban applies to three other candidates whose popularity and political influence could prove a headache for President Ouattara's camp in any election: former president Laurent Gbagbo, former youth leader and political organizer Charles Blé Goudé, and former Ouattara acolyte Guillaume Soro. A very dependent electoral commission In a telling sign of political intervention from the presidential camp, the Commission contentiously stated that this list is definitive and would not be revised under any circumstances prior to the October elections. Both independent observers and supporters of the banned presidential hopefuls have accused Ouattara of illegally disqualifying his most formidable opponents to centralize power. Once hailed in the West as the savior of Ivorian democracy, President Ouattara is now roundly denounced by his opponents and some of his former advocates in the Western press as a power-hungry agent of democratic backsliding in the West African nation. Thiam has called on the UN to oppose Ouattara's dictatorial project, arguing that the past few years have seen Cote d'Ivoire 'slide towards a total lack of democracy.' Other candidates are qualified to participate in the coming elections, however. These include former First Lady Simone Ehivet Gbagbo and former Minister of Commerce Jean-Louis Billon. But neither of these candidates have the same popular support as Thiam and the other banned contenders. While it is not clear whether the media protestations of the banned candidates will bear any meaningful fruit on the actual political scene, one thing is for certain: this decision means that the October elections will be deeply divisive. Tags: Cote d'Ivoireivory coastOuattarapolitics
