Court Strikes Down Gov’t Ban on Paris Muslim Assembly, Citing Overreach

IQNA – In a rebuke to French executive authority, a court has cleared the way for a large Muslim gathering in northern Paris, ruling that the government’s attempt to prohibit the event lacked legal justification.

The Paris police department argued that the four-day Annual Gathering of Muslims of France was a security threat because it could be a target of terrorism.

But the organizers – the Muslims of France (MF) association – sought an emergency injunction to let the event go ahead, arguing that a ban would be a breach of basic liberties.

The administrative court agreed and overturned the government decree, just two hours before the planned 14:00 (13:00 BST) opening. The court said in its ruling that elements provided by police "did not establish the risk of counter-demonstrations, or that the gathering would be targeted by far-right groups".

It also dismissed the argument that the event would pose an unacceptable strain on police resources, noting that the organizers had themselves assured extra security.

Part cultural and religious conference, part trade fair, the gathering used to be an annual event, but has not been held since 2019. Before that it regularly drew tens of thousands of people from across Europe.

Source: Agencies