• News
  • Articles
  • Videos
  • Podcast
  • Campaigns
    • Stand4Uyghurs
    • In Their Shoes
  • Prayer
  • Members
  • Donate
  • More
    • About Us
    • Advertise Your Business
    • Contact
    • Jobs
    • Submit an Article
    • Subscribe
    • Write
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube WhatsApp Telegram
Islam21c
  • News
  • Articles
  • Videos
  • Podcast
  • Campaigns
    • Stand4Uyghurs
    • In Their Shoes
  • Prayer
  • Members
  • Donate
  • More
    • About Us
    • Advertise Your Business
    • Contact
    • Jobs
    • Submit an Article
    • Subscribe
    • Write
0 Shopping Cart
Islam21c
Home»News»France probes 76 masājid in ‘crackdown on separatism’

France probes 76 masājid in ‘crackdown on separatism’

News 05/12/2020No Comments3 Mins ReadBy Shaheer Choudhury
Petr Kovalenkov / Shutterstock.com

In a further blow to the welfare of Muslim citizens in France, the French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin has announced a broad and immediate investigation into 76 mosques suspected of ‘radicalising’ worshippers and implementing an approach of ‘separatism’ amongst attendees of the places of prayer and sanctity. [1]

A reported 66 undocumented migrants accused of ‘radicalisation’ have also been deported.

Although Darmanin justified his actions using the recent deadly attacks in the French cities of Nice and Paris, he has made clear his intent to target Muslims as well as mosques in light of these attacks. [2] [3]

This has led to some questioning the motives behind such a harsh action by the right-wing politician, with a step such as this most likely exacerbating existing tensions between Europe’s largest Muslim population and the French government.


  • Helps complete development and release our brand new website where all the above happens
  • Helps run National Khutbah days with 100s of Imams reaching 100,000s on Jummah highlighting social issues
  • Helps produce Unscripted podcast shows with global influential figures tackling todays challenges
  • Helps produce Unscripted podcast shows with global influential scholars and activists tackling today's challenges
  • Helps research featured articles by leading scholars/activists offering guidance and solutions
  • Helps write NewsViews articles setting our narrative to major breaking stories
  • By proceeding, you will be added to the Islam21c mailing list. Your data is safe with us and will be protected in accordance with our data protection policy.
  • £ 0.00
  • per month
  • NOTE: Donating Zakat? Please proceed to our Zakat applicable emergency appeal here.
  • Donation Top Up

    Are you trying to increase your Rizq? Did you know by increasing your donation right now, Allah promises to give you back MUCH MORE
  • Helps write NewsViews articles setting our narrative to major breaking stories
  • Helps research featured articles by leading scholars/activists offering guidance and solutions
  • Helps produce Unscripted podcast shows with global influential scholars and activists tackling today's challenges
  • Helps produce Unscripted podcast shows with global influential figures tackling todays challenges
  • Helps run National Khutbah days with 100s of Imams reaching 100,000s on Jummah highlighting social issues
  • Helps complete development and release our brand new website where all the above happens


On Thursday last week, Darmanin tweeted an excerpt from his interview with the radio broadcaster RTV:

76 mosquées sont aujourd’hui soupçonnées de séparatisme.
Dans les prochains jours, des contrôles vont être menés sur ces lieux de culte.
Si jamais ces doutes sont confirmés, je demanderai leur fermeture. pic.twitter.com/Mq8DGnB2Pr

— Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) December 3, 2020

“76 mosques are now suspected of separatism. In the coming days, checks will be carried out on these places of worship. If ever these doubts are confirmed, I will ask for their closure.” [4]

Following this statement, the first batch of mosques were investigated on the same day, with the remainder to follow in coming days. Sixteen of the mosques targeted in the review are located in the capital city, Paris. [5]

Darmanin has seen his authority diminish in the past few weeks, as most of the current media attention has focused on his ongoing scandal regarding police abuses in France and the desire to push through a bill that would criminalise the sharing of police officers’ identities through photographs and videos. [6]

Article 24, the name of the planned bill, states that it will become an offence to:

“…disseminate, by whatever means and on whatever medium, with the aim of damaging physical or psychological integrity, the image of the face or any other element of identification of an official of the national police or a member of the national gendarmerie when they are acting in the context of a police operation.” [6]

The proposed legislation has been concerning for human rights groups, who argue that such a law would restrict freedom of the press and make it easier for police forces to act with a sense of impunity to avoid being held to account for their actions.

The embattled minister has already ordered the Collective Against Islamophobia in France (CCIF) to close. The non-profit organisation, established in 2003, had been known for its work in providing legal support to Muslims affected by discrimination. This closure means it will be more difficult to have a collective Muslim voice that can speak through a metaphorical loudhailer in order to be heard. [7]

As reported last week, the French government is taking a hard line against Muslims in the wake of recent attacks. President Macron and his cabinet continues to push forward with more restrictions and punitive action against the innocent French Muslim members of society. [8]

[donationbanner]


Source: www.islam21c.com

[1] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/12/03/france-investigate-76-mosques-suspected-separatism-unprecedented/

[2] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/20/beheaded-teacher-samuel-paty-to-get-legion-of-honour-france-says-minister

[3] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54729957

[4] https://twitter.com/GDarmanin/status/1334395726906929158

[5] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-55173833

[6] https://www.euronews.com/2020/11/17/french-mps-mull-criminalising-the-sharing-of-police-pictures-online

[7] https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/11/30/ccif-n30.html

[8] https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/enlightenment-islam-french-president-macron-fires-ultimatum-at-muslim-leaders/

Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Telegram WhatsApp
Previous ArticlePreserving Islam’s Scholarly Independence
Next Article Uyghur Muslims forced to eat pork following decision by Chinese government to expand pig farms in Xinjiang

Related Posts

Ramadan 1444/ 2023 is nearly here!

21/03/2023

20 years on from the disastrous US-led invasion of Iraq

20/03/2023

Islam21c-Human Aid & Advocacy partnership announcement

17/03/2023

BBC publicly exposes its hypocrisy with Gary Lineker debacle

14/03/2023

Don’t miss our jam-packed Ramadan conference next Sunday

10/03/2023

Repeated Zionist attacks spur protest near Downing Street tomorrow

09/03/2023
Add A Comment

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Shaheer Choudhury

As Head of Editorial at Islam21c, Shaheer is a regular contributor who has an unwavering passion and commitment for staying on the pulse in regards to global geopolitical and general current affairs, whilst paying close attention to the changing world conditions of Muslim populations. Prior to joining Islam21c, he developed a number of years’ experience in the health and social care sector, and previously worked as a caseworker at HHUGS. He has also volunteered at the Muslim Youth Helpline. Shaheer holds a bachelor’s degree in business management.

Islam21c
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Telegram
© 2023 Islam21c.com | All rights reserved

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.