Islamophobic Graffiti Targets Imam Training Institute in Martigues, France

Another Islamophobic act. "Muslim = pig", "Arab out", "Allah = shit" or even "Save the Whites"... These are the Islamophobic inscriptions discovered on the walls of the Dar Ennour Institute, an annex of the Al-Ghazali Institute of the Grand Mosque of Paris, which has been training 18 imams since last February. The authors of these inscriptions are demanding "justice" for the attacks against Charlie Hebdo, the Bataclan, Nice, the attacks in Rambouillet or in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine where Samuel Paty, history-geography teacher, was stabbed and beheaded shortly after leaving his college.

"These racist and anti-Muslim tags undermine the students who are called to become our future imams of France and who, faced with such acts, will not renounce to work for the unity of our society and our country," deplored the Grand Mosque of Paris. It expressed its concern about "the increase in acts of intolerance." It also urged "the authorities to concretely and urgently strengthen the security of places of worship in France."

Following these Islamophobic acts, the Grand Mosque of Paris received the support of the authorities. "The Al Ghazali Institute in Martigues [...] was the subject of unacceptable damage. I renew all my support to Rector Chems-Eddine Hafiz as well as to the institute’s teams," tweeted Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, promising that all the means of the State are mobilized to find the perpetrators of these acts.

"I strongly condemn these stupid and senseless actions. [...] I want to remind you that in our city and in our Republic, neither insults nor threats have their place," was outraged Gaby Charroux, mayor of Martigues. He said he had filed a complaint and that the police were investigating.