Great Mosque of Paris Urges Muslims to Vote in French Elections Amid Far-Right Concerns

In the eyes of Chems-Eddine Hafiz, the announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron of the dissolution of the National Assembly is "a bold decision" that engages France "on a perilous path, thus opening the doors to uncertainty, even to darker prospects." In his weekly column, he notes that a forced marriage in the form of cohabitation with the Rassemblement National party of Marine Le Pen "already constitutes a significant peril for the nation. In the current national and international context, this could even pave the way for the Élysée for the heirs of Marshal Pétain, taking us back to the darkest hours of our history, with a well-known target." For the rector of the Great Mosque of Paris, it "is imperative to go beyond internal quarrels and focus on the essential: to defend republican values and counter the rise of those who preach division and hatred." "We cannot allow history to repeat itself," he believes, reminding the republican parties of the role they should play: "to firmly oppose the far right, to propose a clear and unified alternative, and to demonstrate to the French people that the greatness of the nation lies in its unity, its diversity and its commitment to democracy." Noting that "the ’Maghrebi’, the ’Muslim’, [...] have become scapegoats, symbols of everything that is perceived as threatening, as foreign, as incompatible with a supposedly homogeneous national identity," Chems-Eddine Hafiz denounces a discourse which, "like a worn-out refrain, serves (for parties proclaiming themselves republican) as a lifeline in their drift towards the foul waters of the far right."

In the face of the rise of Marine Le Pen and her party, the rector issues "a solemn appeal to all the mosques affiliated to the Federation of the Great Mosque of Paris and beyond" to "raise awareness among the faithful about the imminent dangers threatening our nation and encourage those who have taken refuge in abstention to actively participate in the choice of the society they wish for tomorrow: a fraternal, egalitarian and benevolent society towards all its children." He calls on places of worship to "mobilize to remind each believer of the importance of their voice and their civic engagement." Stressing that "neutrality in these critical times is not an option," the rector believes that "it is our duty to contribute to the construction of a society where every individual, regardless of their faith, origin or social status, can live in dignity and peace." For him, "abstention is not neutrality, but an abdication of their power and their responsibility" which allows "the forces of division and hatred to settle at the heart of our Republic." The rector therefore urges imams and religious leaders to "use their platform to awaken consciences." And he adds: "Each of us, through our vote, through our commitment, can contribute to forging a more just, more humane society."

"So I call you to action, to mobilization, to the awakening of consciences. Our common future depends on it. Let’s make sure that every voice counts, that every citizen feels invested with the mission of defending republican values, and that France remains a nation where peace, justice and fraternity reign for all its children," concludes Chems-Eddine Hafiz.