Key facts
- The Montreuil Administrative Court upheld a six-month closure order for the Attaqwa Mosque in Aulnay-sous-Bois.
- The closure was based on allegations of inciting violence, terrorism, hatred, or discrimination.
- The court rejected arguments that the closure violated religious freedom or secularism.
- Critics argue the decision improperly interprets religious texts and oversteps state authority.
- The mosque's management plans to appeal the decision to France's highest administrative court.
A French court has upheld a six-month closure of the Attaqwa Mosque in Aulnay-sous-Bois, a suburb of Paris, for allegedly inciting violence and terrorism. The Montreuil Administrative Court rejected an attempt to suspend the prefecture's order, ruling that the closure did not constitute a serious infringement on freedom of worship.
The mosque, managed by the Aulnay-Sud Cultural Association (Acas), was accused of disseminating statements, ideas, or theories that incite violence, hatred, or discrimination, and glorify acts of terrorism. The prefecture cited statements made within the mosque and on imams' social media accounts, as well as the attendance of radicalized individuals.
Critics, including the mosque's lawyer Rafik Chekkat and lawyer Sefen Guez Guez, argue that the decision undermines religious freedom and secularism. They contend that authorities based their case partly on interpretations of Quranic verses and Islamic tradition, such as references to Imam al‑Nawawi's works, and sermons discussing concepts like hell and punishments for "unbelievers." Chekkat plans to appeal to the Council of State, France's highest administrative court.
Lawyer Guez Guez expressed concern that the court's decision literally interpreted religious texts to justify the closure and questioned how far back authorities could go to justify such actions, noting some sermons dated back to 2020. Franck Fregosi, a religions specialist, views the closure as an expression of an "authoritarian shift in French secularism," continuing a historical pattern of state control over Muslim worship.
The closure comes in the context of France's "anti-separatism" law, enacted in 2021, which critics argue stigmatizes the Muslim community and restricts civil liberties by strengthening prefectural powers over places of worship. Former Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin had also announced plans for an official status for imams to shield Islam in France from foreign influences. Abdallah Zekri, rector of the Grand Mosque of Nimes, shared an anecdote about an Algerian imam who, despite complying with procedures, was denied a residence permit.