North French Mosques Condemn ’Barbaric Murder’ of History Teacher

Reactions of outrage, especially in the ranks of Muslims in France, are accumulating. In a joint statement, 29 mosques in the North expressed their consternation. To his loved ones, colleagues and students, "our most fraternal thoughts accompany you, because in these difficult times, we know your hearts are broken by sadness and incomprehension. Your pain is ours. We, the heads of the mosques in the North, call on everyone to show a great sense of responsibility and discernment and not to cast opprobrium on an entire Muslim community that is outraged like all the French," they said in the statement.

In the same statement, they expressed their anger by noting: "We have a duty to be angry because this criminal has transgressed one of the major foundations of living together,...taking a life is to attack all humanity." "We have a duty to be angry against this barbaric act that harms the desire of Muslims to live their faith in peace and serenity"..."despite the tireless daily efforts of Muslim institutions in France, it only takes a moment for a sick person to destroy the bearing of the work of protecting the younger generations."

"Freedom of expression is a strong value protected by our Republic," the mosques in the North recalled. They also called on "the French nation not to give in to division and to remain united. Similarly, "the media actors and political leaders must be the vectors of a message that calms tensions and refuses amalgams," they specified.