Muslim figure criticizes religious restrictions against followers of Islam in France   

Speaking on the sidelines of a diplomatic conference held on the occasion of the International Day for Tolerance, Mohammed Moussaoui said Muslims in France are facing growing limitations and this is leading to a social crisis, media outlets reported.

The President of the French Council of the Muslim Faith also underlined the unacceptability of any violation of Muslims’ rights and their freedoms, including freedom to practice their faith.

There are some 5.7 million Muslims living in France, the largest Muslim minority population in Western Europe.

The French government has in recent years pursued a policy of imposing restrictions on the freedoms of the country’s Muslims and closed down a large number of mosques.