France sees multiple protests against Islamophobia

Protests against rising Islamophobia took place across France on Sunday, including in Paris, Marseille, and Lyon, following the fatal stabbing of Aboubakar Cisse at Hatice Mosque in La Grand-Combe on April 25, Anadolu Agency reported.

The attacker, Olivier H., a French citizen of Bosnian origin, stabbed Cisse multiple times while filming the assault and shouting insults against Islam.

The killing sparked widespread outrage within the Muslim community. In Paris, demonstrators gathered at Bastille Square before marching to Nation Square, holding signs condemning Islamophobia and criticizing French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau’s policies targeting migrants and Muslims. Slogans such as “Stop Islamophobia” and “Paris against fascism” were chanted.

Protesters demanded justice for Cisse and highlighted the role of the state and media in fostering Islamophobia. Many carried Palestinian flags and wore keffiyehs to express solidarity with Palestinians. The demonstrations aimed to raise awareness about growing Islamophobia in French media and politics and to call for an end to discrimination against Muslims in France.