Controversial Islamic Scholar’s Conference Canceled at Montpellier Mosque Amid Pressure

The highly controversial Tariq Ramadan is no longer welcome at the Aïcha mosque at the end of December. This decision was made following the outcry caused by this announcement. The Aïcha Mosque has finally canceled the arrival of the Islamic scholar.

"A number of new elements, brought to our attention, lead us to reconsider our position regarding the holding of our conference," can be read on the Facebook page of the Aïcha association. The association therefore undertakes to side with the public authorities (...) in order to guarantee the peaceful and serene framework in which they live in the municipality, indicates a press release from the association.

According to Driss El Youssfi, president of this association, his structure "does not want to create any disturbance" to public order, and it promises to do everything to ensure that the security and serenity, values that are dear to it, are restored.

"We have nothing to gain in this invitation. But as he is coming out of a difficult year with imprisonment in particular, we want to know what these trials have changed for him, in his behavior, his way of thinking, of seeing religion and practicing it too. It must reformat the mind," the association tried to justify itself.