Faced with the rise in anti-Muslim acts, an association calls for a general assembly

Nine pig heads were discovered Tuesday outside mosques in the Île-de-France region. Even though this may have been a possible destabilization operation originating from abroad, according to the Paris prosecutor's office, did the government's swift condemnation of these acts reassure you?

Answer: The brutality of the event surprised us. But we expected a gradual worsening of anti-Muslim acts , with the release of hate speech that we have been denouncing for months, and the permanent stigmatization of Muslims, particularly by far-right parties.

The Minister of the Interior has taken the necessary steps to mobilize law enforcement, and an investigation was launched fairly quickly. This is a source of satisfaction. But we expect much stronger actions and words to reassure Muslims, whose anxiety and worry are growing.

What are you asking specifically?

We are pleased to see that faster responses are being found, for example for the Eid holiday where security conditions have been improved.

We also call for a general assembly on the issue of anti-Muslim acts, and more broadly on the anti-religious hatred that we feel is rising in our country. We must bring together experts, sociologists, etc., to find avenues with government services.

Do you think there is a specific character to anti-Muslim acts?

Islam is sometimes considered the last religion to arrive at the table of the Republic, and finds itself attacked for electoral purposes. But Muslims are fully part of the national community! They contribute to the economic, cultural, and intellectual wealth of the country. They aspire only to peacefully practice their religion while respecting the laws of the Republic and secularism.

Today, looking for a scapegoat, some say that the problem is Islam. No, the problem is not being able to make ends meet at the end of the month. And in times of crisis, when brainless people kill in the name of Islam, Muslims feel they must reaffirm their love for the Republic. This stigmatization is unfounded.

Did the report published in the spring on the Muslim Brotherhood contribute to an amalgamation?

This report has added confusion to an already existing confusion. Today, a Muslim involved in community work or politics can find himself accused of being a Muslim brother. Last year, 173 anti-Muslim acts were recorded. Does this accurately reflect reality?

These are the complaints filed, not the total number of anti-Muslim acts, which are much more numerous.

Addam (state-backed, editor's note), which offers a reporting platform, will publish initial figures in October. Two-thirds of these incidents involve attacks on individuals: violence, insults, threats, etc. Women in particular are targeted, with veils torn off or insulting remarks.

How can this under-reporting be explained?

Many victims say to themselves, "What's the point of filing a complaint since there won't be any follow-up?" Others are afraid to go to a police station because they don't know how they'll be received.