French Muslim Leader Warns Regulator of Rising Islamophobia in Media

In a letter addressed to Roch-Olivier Maistre, president of Arcom, Chems-eddine Hafiz expressed his concern about the rise, in the media and on social networks, of hateful discourse that attacks groups and people because of their religious affiliation. "We cannot remain insensitive and passive in the face of the liberation and trivialization of an essentialist, stigmatizing, racist and hateful speech against our Muslim fellow citizens," he wrote.

"The multiplication, repetition and seriousness of this type of scandalous remarks made in certain media and by certain media personalities are unworthy" of a France "so fundamentally attached to freedom of expression and debates of opinion," denounces the rector of the Great Mosque of Paris, who calls for "greater vigilance" and more decisive action by Arcom to counter this "dangerous evolution" that jeopardizes "the cohesion of the national community and religious coexistence" in France.

Chems-eddine Hafiz also emphasized the role of the media in the rise of this hateful discourse, urging Arcom to "sanction" the "unacceptable excesses" of certain media personalities. "The Great Mosque of Paris reserves the right to take legal action against the personalities making such remarks," he warned. On Friday, the rector had already called on the French authorities in the face of this "progressive liberation" of a "racist and hateful speech against the Muslims of France".