Macron champions religious freedom in face of rising Islamophobia

President Emmanuel Macron has voiced strong condemnation of the brutal killing of a Muslim man in a mosque in France, asserting that racism and religious hatred “will never have a place in France.” This statement comes in light of increasing concerns over Islamophobia within the country.

Macron’s office confirmed that the French leader intends to meet with Muslim representatives, including the rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris and the president of the Coordination of Muslim Associations of Paris, to foster dialogue and extend the nation’s support.

The tragic incident that prompted this response was the murder of Aboubaker Cisse, a Malian man who was violently stabbed multiple times by an Islamophobic assailant. The perpetrator fled to Italy after the attack but subsequently surrendered to police. The murder, which was filmed by the assailant, has been a chilling reminder of the threats faced by the Muslim community in France.

During a recent meeting, Macron reaffirmed France’s dedication to ensuring freedom of conscience and religious practice for all citizens and residents. He emphasized the “inviolable nature of religious freedom” and announced forthcoming measures aimed at enhancing the protection of places of worship.

The Grand Mosque and the Muslim association present at the meeting expressed their deep concerns regarding the climate of Islamophobia that has been exacerbated by certain media and political figures. They criticized the decision to refrain from classifying Cisse’s murder as an act of terrorism, which they believe undermines the seriousness of the threat faced by the Muslim community.

Islamophobia remains a pressing issue across Europe, particularly in France, where anti-Muslim sentiments are often echoed by officials. A notable example of this was the French Senate's controversial decision to prohibit the hijab at sports events, which ignited widespread backlash from Muslims and commentators alike in 2022.

Tensions have been further fueled by incidents in parliamentary settings, where hostility toward those wearing the hijab has been evident. In 2020, members of parliament left a meeting in protest against a student wearing a hijab, and in 2019, another incident occurred when a Muslim woman was asked to remove her veil during a plenary session.

Moreover, the French law on secularity restricts the wearing of religious symbols in public primary and secondary schools, highlighting the systematic challenges faced by the Muslim community.

The spectrum of Islamophobic attacks extends beyond Cisse’s tragic murder. Recently, a 26-year-old woman reported an attack in Poissy, where an assailant forcibly removed her hijab. According to reports from Le Parisien, there were 79 recorded anti-Muslim incidents between January and March of this year, marking a staggering 72% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This statistic may only scratch the surface, as many incidents likely go unreported.