Council of Mosques in Rhône Condemns Racist Attack on 17-Year-Old Student in France

Council of Mosques in Rhône Condemns Racist Attack on 17-Year-Old Student in France
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The Council of Mosques of the Rhône has strongly condemned a violent attack on a 17-year-old student in Décines-Charpieu, near Lyon in eastern France, describing the incident as part of a broader climate of hate and rising Islamophobia rather than an isolated event.

French prosecutors say the teenager, who is of Syrian origin, was assaulted on the morning of January 19 as he was walking to school by three masked individuals. According to police and the victim’s account, his eyebrows were shaved and his face was cut with a razor, and the attackers reportedly hurled racial and religious insults, including terms such as “dirty Arab” and “dirty Muslim.” A formal complaint has been filed with the Lyon public prosecutor’s office.

In its statement, the Council of Mosques of the Rhône said the attack was “neither an accident nor a one-off incident,” but rather “the direct result of a climate of hatred that has been constructed, supported, and normalized.” The organisation urged French authorities to unequivocally recognise the racist and Islamophobic nature of the assault, to act firmly in prosecuting the perpetrators, and to cease what it described as political and media instrumentalisation of issues related to Islam and Muslims.

The Council further warned that denying or downplaying such incidents could lead to further attacks and called for a clear and immediate response to combat all forms of racism and protect young people.

French authorities, including the Rhône prefect, have publicly condemned the attack and stressed the need for vigilance and respect for all communities in the country.