Paris Mosque Leader Challenges PM Attal’s Claims of ’Islamist Infiltration’ in Schools

On Thursday, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, in an interview on BFMTV, denounced "more or less organized groups that are trying to make Islamist infiltration" advocating "the precepts of sharia, particularly in schools". These remarks by the Prime Minister are not well received by the rector of the Great Mosque of Paris. "Such allegations require tangible evidence to be considered credible," says Chems-eddine Hafiz in a statement, who cannot "be satisfied with political statements". According to him, "a nuanced approach is essential to avoid any stigmatization or discrimination".

"[...] the use of the term infiltration, from Trotskyist political ideology, is totally inappropriate in this context," explains the rector. He strongly "suggests" to the Prime Minister "to look at proven facts" such as "the gap" in mathematics of students from immigrant backgrounds in France compared to countries like Canada or the United Kingdom. "We firmly call on Gabriel Attal and the government to show discernment in their speeches, particularly in this election period where unfortunately Islam and Muslims are too often instrumentalized as an argument in the race for the votes of the far right," Chems-eddine Hafiz also writes.

For the rector, "the government has the duty and responsibility to fight the far right by avoiding feeding it through the stigmatization of Muslims". He assures that the citizens of Muslim faith are "committed to fighting all forms of extremism". "And we are firmly committed to fighting all forms of extremism and we are willing to be on the front line to fight against excesses, as long as they are clearly identified for us," he adds.