Montpellier Blocks Morocco’s Bid to Purchase Averroès Mosque Amid Controversy

The opposition of the Montpellier town hall to the sale of the Averroès mosque has finally made the owner association give in. According to Midi Libre, this decision had provoked the ire of the mayor of the city, Michaël Delafosse, a few days ago. He had announced his intention to exercise the pre-emption right of the municipality. The mayor cited in this transaction the interference "of a foreign state in French religious affairs". Morocco was clearly targeted.

Nearly two years ago, this mosque had been bought by Muslim worshipers in the city. According to the regional newspaper, the association had to give up the project due to the outcry provoked by this file while the bill on separatism was under debate. "Thanks to the determined action of the city to defend secularism and ensure compliance with the 1905 law on the separation of Churches and State, the interference of a foreign government in a place of worship in Montpellier is avoided," the city said in a statement.