French Muslims Join Catholics in Mourning Nice Attack Victims

Several mosque leaders have expressed their condolences and above all their support to the Catholic Church. "We learned in the afternoon that a memorial mass for the victims of the attack was scheduled for 6:30 pm. We had decided to go there when, 1.5 hours before, we were contacted by the diocese to participate," said Youssef Afif, director of cultural affairs at the mosque of Saint-Étienne, to Saphirnews.

During the mass, the religious leader "insisted a lot on our presence by saying that we have the same father," said Youssef Afif. "He also insisted to his Catholic faithful that they should not give in to anger and amalgamation," he added. The speaker’s speech so stunned a couple that, on the spot, they invited the rector of the mosque to their church wedding in November, even though, due to the health crisis, only six people are authorized to attend.

Participating in this mass were the director of cultural affairs of the Great Mosque Mohammed VI of Saint-Étienne, Youssef Afif, the rector of the Great Mosque of Saint-Étienne, Larbi Marchiche and the president of the Muslim Association Al-Andalus (Amea), Mourad Aissaoui, not to mention the mayor of Saint-Étienne, Gaël Perdriau. They did not fail to affirm their fraternity to the bishop, Sylvain Bataille.

The Great Mosque of Saint-Étienne even wrote a moving text, after the attack, to its community and the Catholics of France, entitled "We are by your side." "Never will we give in to the division that is imposed on us as an inevitable consequence. (...) As for Muslims, do not be afraid to affirm your support, your solidarity and your love," the message of solidarity and fraternity said.