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Marseille court overturns mosque closure order
The Administrative Court of Marseille suspended on Saturday the prefectural order that had ordered the two-month closure of the Bleuets Mosque, citing a violation of the fundamental freedom of worship.
Regional prefect Georges-François Leclerc had justified the closure by alleging that Imam Ismaïl (Smaïn Bendjilali) held “radical” positions on social media. However, the judge ruled that his comments did not present a current threat capable of provoking hatred or violence.
The court emphasized that closing the mosque created an urgent situation for the managing association and worshippers, particularly those with limited mobility.
“This victory is a decision of appeasement,” said the mosque’s lawyer Sefen Guez Guez, adding that it was time to allow the mosque to continue its activities peacefully.
The case comes amid long-standing tensions between authorities and the mosque. The imam, convicted in May of advocating terrorism (a decision under appeal), had previously pledged to complete a secularism course to maintain the mosque’s operation.