French Education Minister Under Fire for Linking Ramadan to Rise in Secularism Violations

In a letter addressed on Tuesday to the Minister of National Education and made public on Wednesday, the Rector of the Great Mosque of Paris, Chems-Eddine Hafiz, expressed his "greatest incomprehension" about the remarks he made on the set of the "Dimanche en politique" program. Pap Ndiaye stated that 507 attacks on secularism were recorded in March, compared to 282 in February, noting a "rise each year, at the time of Ramadan."

"I inquire, by this letter, about the serious analysis that would have led you to this very categorical observation. I am especially concerned about the impact, on our fellow citizens, of such an affirmation whose discriminatory nature leaves little doubt," indicated the rector, recalling the many criticisms leveled against the system for monitoring attacks on the principle of secularism since its implementation in 2018, particularly on the "wearing of religious signs or clothing," the "challenge of teaching," the "refusal of school activities" or the "suspicion of proselytism."

Chems-Eddine Hafiz regrets that Pap Ndiaye did not rather salute the "beautiful acts of solidarity" of "this youth who, voluntarily, has committed itself alongside the Great Mosque of Paris to offer every evening 3,500 meals, in more than 25 cities in our country, to all those who needed it, in a completely undifferentiated manner" during the month of Ramadan. The rector concluded his letter by conveying to the minister his "exasperation" and his "full willingness to exchange with [him] on the issue."

For its part, Musulmans de France (MF) also "firmly" condemned the minister’s remarks "which are not based on any tangible evidence." The month of Ramadan "cannot in any way justify or excuse acts contrary to the values of the Republic," it is explained. The association asks the minister to "exercise caution in his public statements in order not to stigmatize part of the population and not to pour oil on the fire of an already very sensitive debate."