Two mosques in Besançon were tagged on the night of November 19 to 20 with crosses of Lorraine. Local leaders of the Muslim faith condemn an attack aimed “at spreading hatred”. An investigation has been opened.
“The attacked aimed at delivering an anti-Muslim message,” according to the mosques’ directors.
“The Islamic Cultural Center of Franche-Comté (CCIFC) strongly condemns these acts whose sole purpose is to spread hatred and rejection of the other”, reacted in a statement Khalid Jarmouni, the president of the CCIFC who manages the mosque of Fontaine-Ecu, where six crosses were drawn in red paint.
Tahar Belhadj, spokesperson of the second mosque, also condemned these “Islamophobic” acts. “These acts are a consequence of the (presidential) electoral campaign which attacks Islam,” he said. “It’s always like that on the eve of the presidential election, we use Islam as a scapegoat,” he said.
The two association leaders have expressed their intention to file a complaint. The Besançon prosecutor’s office announced that a preliminary investigation had been opened.
