‘Bismillah, it's the darkness’: How a suspected police infiltration became a protest meme in France
‘Bismillah, it's the darkness’: How a suspected police infiltration became a protest meme in France Submitted by Imene Guiza on Fri, 10/16/2026 - 12:00 The viral slogan has become a symbol of student protests across the country, mocking suspected police infiltration and racial stereotypes French high school and university students hold a poster reading "Bismillah c'est les tenebres" (Bismillah,…
How a suspected police infiltration in France became a protest meme was the focus of a viral slogan, "Bismillah, it's the darkness". This phrase, attributed to a Snapchat message, gained traction among students during protests against various issues, including school shortages and racial stereotypes. The message, which made no sense, was seen as a clumsy attempt by police to imitate Gen Z's online language and infiltrate protest groups.
Students began mocking the phrase, turning it into a symbol of their protests and the racial stereotypes it exposed. The phrase, which has no religious meaning, became a popular meme, appearing on social media, protest placards, and demonstrations.
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