Muslim Leaders Protest Exclusion from Earlier Reopening of Religious Services in France

6 May 2020 – bySylvanus@Bladi · 1 min read

The Great Mosque of Paris expresses its "astonishment" and cries "discrimination" after the government announced on Monday, May 4, that it is ready to consider the date of May 29 instead of June 2 initially communicated. This change in schedule follows the reaction of the Catholic Church on the resumption of religious services.

This government decision will allow Jews to celebrate the Shavuot holiday, from May 29 to 30, and Catholics and Protestants to celebrate Pentecost on May 31. According to the Great Mosque of Paris, the decision would de facto prevent Muslims from celebrating Eid al-Fitr on May 24.

In the event that the government confirms the date of May 29, the Great Mosque of Paris announces that it will "urgently request the authorities to set the resumption of religious ceremonies on May 24, "for all places of worship without exclusion", indicates a press release from the institution.

"Failing that, the Great Mosque of Paris will unfortunately be obliged to use all legal means to defend the moral interests of Muslims in France," warns the institution. It does not rule out seizing the competent courts to denounce "a serious fact of blatant discrimination".

Category: France

Keywords:

France Paris Religion Islam