The closure of the Al-Taqwa Mosque near Paris sparks debate over Islamophobia and freedom of worship
The closure of the Al-Taqwa Mosque near Paris sparks debate over Islamophobia and freedom of worship
The decision by French authorities to close the Al-Taqwa Mosque in the Chanteloup neighborhood of Aulnay-sous-Bois, northeastern Paris, for six months has sparked significant debate over freedom of religious practice and the official handling of Islamic institutions in France.
The Seine-Saint-Denis Prefecture justified its decision with accusations of disseminating speeches and ideas that incite violence and hatred and glorify terrorism, basing its actions on the French internal security law.
In contrast, the mosque’s administration and its imams rejected these allegations, asserting that the authorities relied on Quranic verses, Hadiths, and excerpts from sermons, which they claim were taken out of their religious and educational context and interpreted in a manner that does not reflect their true meaning.
The mosque’s Imam, Sheikh Abu Ayyub Hamidi, stated that the use of terms such as “jihad” and “infidel” in some of his sermons was within the context of explaining texts and religious concepts. He denied that his sermons included calls for violence, emphasizing that they focused on ethics, calmness, religious learning, and countering fanaticism and extremism.
The president of the association overseeing the mosque, Najeeb Qalloul, also denied the validity of the accusations against the institution and its imams, calling for a review of the evidence on which the closure decision was based. He also criticized the consideration of teaching certain Islamic books, including “Riyadh as-Saliheen” by Imam Nawawi, as indicative of extremism.
The mosque officials stated that its role was not limited to holding prayers but also included teaching the Arabic language, religious lessons, welcoming youth, and contributing to resolving some social conflicts within the surrounding neighborhoods.
Several mosque-goers expressed their concerns about the social and religious impacts of the closure, demanding a judicial review of the decision based on facts and evidence.
The case has renewed the ongoing debate in France regarding the relationship between security policies and the freedom to practice Islamic rituals. Meanwhile, mosque officials view the measures taken against several Islamic institutions in recent years as raising increasing concerns about Islamophobia and the rights of Muslims in the country.
