Rector of Paris Grand Mosque Affirms Muslim Commitment to France’s Diverse Identity

"I identify deeply with France, just like many of my fellow citizens of the Muslim faith. In this melting pot of cultures and beliefs, France embodies much more than a simple territory. It is the stage for multiple identities that intersect, intertwine and mutually enrich each other. It is a nation where the richness of its cultural and religious diversity is the very foundation of its essence," testified the rector in his May 6, 2024 column, published on the website of the Grand Mosque of Paris.

And to continue: "In these lands, we all aspire to feel fully recognized as a component of the nation, to be an integral part of the social fabric and to contribute to the construction of this plural society. In this tumultuous era where identity tensions are shaking the foundations of social cohesion, I find myself as a French citizen of the Muslim faith, invested with a delicate but crucial task: to express my love for this homeland, France. France, I love it and I’m not leaving it!!!"

Chems-eddine Hafiz confesses to having discovered in France "a mosaic of cultures, a harmonious symphony where each note, each color, contributes to the collective work", adding that this country welcomed him and gave him "the opportunity to flourish, to express myself, and to contribute to its progress". "France, land of welcome and tolerance, has known how to weave the bonds of a plural community, where differences are not primarily sources of division, but of wealth and fertility."

As a Muslim, the rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris is proud to live in a country where "diversity is celebrated as a treasure". "France has offered me a home where I can practice my faith in complete freedom, where I can share my traditions and customs, without fear of judgment or discrimination," he rejoices, reaffirming his love for this country where "everyone can find their place, regardless of their origin, religion, or skin color... as a full-fledged citizen, aware of their rights, but also of their duties to the community".

While Muslims in France express the desire to remain in the country, they are "confronted with a pernicious rhetoric, propagated by certain circles, which claims that our faith is intrinsically incompatible with the fundamental values of the Republic," regrets Chems-eddine Hafiz, stressing that "the Muslim faith is not antithetical to republican values". The rector denounces the "discrimination and hateful media discourse" towards Muslims and calls for mutual respect and tolerance in order to "build together a more just and solidary France".