France: Mosque closure fuels fear of state overreach on Muslim worship

A recent court decision in France to uphold the closure of a mosque for six months has fueled concerns over state overreach on Muslim worship. The Montreuil Administrative Court rejected an attempt to suspend the July prefecture order against the Attaqwa Mosque, also known as the Chanteloup Mosque. Located in the northeastern suburbs of Paris, the mosque is situated within a social housing complex and features a prayer hall that accommodates dozens of worshippers.

Salah, a 78-year-old resident near the mosque, expressed his disappointment at its closure, stating that he frequently attended the mosque for evening prayers and socializing with friends. Rayane, a 20-year-old worshipper, accused the state of punishing all residents in the neighborhood by closing the mosque, questioning why the prefecture did not simply prosecute the accused imams for making violent speeches.

The prefect cited statements, ideas, and theories disseminated in the mosque and on the imams' social media accounts, claiming they incite violence, hatred, or discrimination, glorify terrorism, and encourage its commission. The Montreuil Administrative Court upheld the prefecture's arguments, ruling that the closure does not constitute a serious infringement on freedom of worship.

However, lawyer Rafik Chekkat, representing the mosque, believes that the decision undermines religious freedom and the principle of secularism in France.

The court's defense argued that the prefect did not incriminate the citation of the Quran, as it was based on other statements and elements related to the attendance of radicalized individuals. However, lawyer Sefen Guez Guez disputes this interpretation, arguing that the court interpreted religious texts literally, leading to the mosque's closure. Guez also raised concerns about the time frame used to justify the closure, questioning how far back authorities can go in making such decisions.