Muslim Figure Criticizes Religious Restrictions against Followers of Islam in France
Mohammed Moussaoui said Muslim in France are facing growing limitations and this is leading to a social crisis, al-Umq al-Maqrebi website reported.
He was speaking on the sidelines of a diplomatic conference held on the occasion of the International Day for Tolerance.
Moussaoui said that tensions affect religious affairs in France, especially in terms of imposing restrictions on religious activities.
He added that religious affairs in France have turned into complicated social issues, referring to Hijab as one of these issues.
He underlined the unacceptability of any violation of Muslims’ rights and their freedoms, including freedom to practice their faith.
The president of the French Council of Muslim Faith also condemned terrorist attacks that have taken place in different parts of Europe, especially the one in Paris, saying those carrying out such attacks in the name of defending Islam have nothing to do with the religion.
There are some 5.7 million Muslims living in France, the largest Muslim minority population in Western Europe.
The French government has in recent years pursued a policy of imposing restrictions on the freedoms of the country’s Muslims.
Such moves have undermined Muslims’ rights in the European country.
They are facing different types of limitations, prejudices and discriminations.
Even mosques have not been spared and the government has recently closed a number of Muslim places of worship under various baseless pretexts.
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