France: Killing of Muslim Man in Mosque Highlights Islamophobia

The recent brutal murder of a Muslim man in a mosque in southern France, being investigated as a potential Islamophobic act, has sparked outrage among Muslims, underscoring the increasing normalization of Islamophobia in Europe, Middle East Eye reported.

Hania Chalal, President of the Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations, attributes the violence to long-standing bigotry, government policies, media portrayals, and the daily discrimination faced by Muslims. She argues that Cisse’s death is not isolated, but a consequence of political strategies that exploit fears and target citizens.

Chalal is advocating for immediate and systemic change. She urges Europe to engage with Muslims as partners and acknowledge Islamophobia as a form of racism stemming from colonial history. She stresses the need for the EU’s anti-racism strategy to be developed in collaboration with Muslim communities, addressing the interconnected nature of discrimination.