Disputed Election Sparks Legal Battle at Toulouse Mosque

Elected president of the Muslim Association of Toulouse Mosquée Es-Salam on May 1, 2023, Mohamed Makkaoui suffers from a lack of legitimacy? The day after his election, a second report was filed with the prefecture, attesting to a competing leadership, reports La Dépêche, noting that "this double registration triggers a sustained legal battle fueled by suspicions of fraud." Mohamed Makkaoui’s team files a complaint. This leads to the opening of an investigation on June 21, 2023. Ahmed B., a member and close to the former office, is considered the main suspect. He is now being referred to the criminal court. Prosecuted for "forgery," "use of forgery" and "theft" of the association’s official stamp, he admits to having signed the disputed receipt. However, he claims that the election was rigged by his opponents.

Ahmed B. also makes accusations of misappropriation of humanitarian funds intended for victims of the earthquake in Morocco against the new leaders. Not to mention Salafist affiliations and "bordering on anti-Semitism" remarks attributed to Mohamed Makkaoui. However, the main suspect has not provided the slightest proof. "It hurt me, it’s all false, I never had such remarks," protests Mohamed Makkaoui. The Regional Council of the Muslim Faith understands his indignation. The institution notes "a clear improvement in the relational level with the other faiths" since the arrival of the new president. Clément Rouger, Mohamed Makkaoui’s lawyer, counterattacks: "The accusations made against my client are fanciful. We reserve the right to file a complaint for defamation."

A conflict against the backdrop of a generational divide. According to a source close to the case, the former office did not want to give up, while it had blocked the reconstruction project for a year. This project is estimated at 4.5 million euros, the same source specifies. In the wake of this, the atmosphere degenerates at the mosque. A man is said to have entered the association’s office. He would have made threats. "I’m going to send guys and your new president, we’re going to cut him up." "They want to scare us and I filed a complaint for these facts," explains Mohamed Makkaoui, who was also intimidated by hooded men.

After the failure of the last attempt by members of the former office to challenge the election before the judge in chambers, the court confirmed the legitimacy of the election and the regularity of the elected board of directors. "The only thing the current office is demanding is the recognition of its legitimacy," concludes the lawyer. He refers to the decision handed down on March 25. New elections will be held at the mosque in April 2025. As for Ahmed B.’s trial, it will take place on September 19.