Thousands March in France Against Rising Anti-Muslim Sentiment
The demonstration in Paris was attended by members of the left-wing political party La France Insoumise (LFI), including Jean-Luc Mélenchon and several LFI deputies. Protesters carried signs reading messages such as, “Racism begins with words and ends like Aboubakar,” according to AFP.
Tarek, a 44-year-old production manager from the Paris region, said, “With the death of Aboubakar Cissé, a red line has been crossed,” while carrying a large French flag.
Organizers estimated the Paris turnout at 15,000. Demonstrations were also held in other cities, including Lille, Lyon, and Marseille.
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LFI deputy Éric Coquerel said, “There has been an undeniable rise in Islamophobia, culminating in the death of Aboubakar Cissé in a mosque.”
He criticized Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, saying, “We will never stop holding accountable those who blur the lines between the right and far-right.” He assured French Muslims, “We won’t give up.”
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In Marseille, one sign read, “Islamophobia kills, wounds, discriminates, humiliates… Stop.” A Catholic priest and a Protestant pastor also joined the march, calling for peaceful coexistence.
France’s Interior Ministry reported a 72% increase in anti-Muslim acts during the first three months of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, with 79 incidents recorded.
On April 25, 22-year-old Cissé was fatally stabbed 57 times inside the prayer room of the Khadidja Mosque in La Grand-Combe, located in the Gard region. The assailant reportedly filmed the attack while voicing slurs against Islam. The suspect has been formally charged with “premeditated murder due to race or religion” and is currently being held in custody.
Source: Agencies
