Muslim Family’s Home Construction Sparks Controversy in Rural France

The house under construction belonged to a Lyon entrepreneur, Yassine F. and his wife, who plan to settle there with their three children. Since the start of the work, several residents have denounced the characteristics of the building, which should rise on more than 10,000 m² of land for a house of about 1,200 m², reports l’Eveil.

In addition, the inhabitants have complained to various local authorities about the content of the building permit. The document includes a 20 m² prayer room and the house will have 10 bedrooms. This has given rise to rumors in this village of the Plateau between mosque and Koranic school.

This rumor would be at the origin of this ignoble act and the project owner has explained himself.

"My children go to a private Catholic school. I don’t frequent mosques! I just made a prayer room for my parents... And if it’s written in the permit, it’s because I have nothing to hide! If I had a Koranic school project, if I was in this movement, do you seriously think I would come and settle in Saint-Jeures? And for the dome, it’s a Christian architect who imagined it, according to the technical constraints and the imposed height," he said.

And to add: "I believe that what is problematic today is that I don’t have the right first name."

For now, the origin of the fire has not been determined. The gendarmes went to the scene and an investigation has been opened. According to the latest information, Yassine F. has finally decided to continue his project. He proposes to organize a public meeting in the village to introduce himself to the inhabitants and reassure them about his intentions. He has nevertheless filed a complaint.