Muslim Leaders Urge Voters to Reject Far-Right in French Presidential Runoff

"Today, France is divided between two conceptions of freedom. One wants to prohibit Muslims from freely practicing their religion by forbidding them to dress or eat according to the precepts of their religion. The other claims today to want to maintain the fundamental principles that allow everyone to live and practice their faith. These two conceptions of secularism are opposed and must concern Muslims, who will once again be called upon, because their vote could be decisive for France and the French," explains the CMR in a statement released on Sunday, April 19.

For the Muslim organization, the choice is clear. "We cannot and must not be tempted by abstention, because it would offer to those who make Muslims and Islam their hobby horse by promising them if they were elected ’the flames of hell’. We must resist them with our voices." "As responsible citizens," the CMR leaders call on all French people of Muslim culture and faith "to mobilize on April 24 so that no vote is lost and to block the far right" and "to remain vigilant by massively attending all upcoming elections to influence the choice of policies that will be implemented."

Before the first round, the CMR had called on all voters to vote to "obstruct those who want to ’drive Muslims out of France’".