The CFCM condemns the statements of Julien Odoul affirming that “Islamophobia is legal”

The French Council of Muslim Worship (CFCM) firmly condemned the comments of RN deputy Julien Odoul, who affirmed that “Islamophobia is legal” and would be a simple opinion. The body denounces a deliberate confusion which minimizes the reality of this phenomenon. The CFCM recalls that Islamophobia translates concretely into serious acts: racist remarks, verbal and physical attacks, daily discrimination, attacks against places of worship, or even threats which can go as far as planned attacks. Reducing this to a simple “right not to like a religion” amounts, according to him, to trivializing facts that undermine the dignity, security of the people concerned and national cohesion.
The organization also questions a possible double standard and asks the question: would such relativization be tolerated in the public debate regarding “Christianophobia” or “Judeophobia”? She warns against calling into question the term “Islamophobia” which would aim, according to her, to shield certain comments and behaviors from any responsibility, behind the argument of a simple religious aversion. Finally, the CFCM recalls that Julien Odoul has already distinguished himself by taking positions directly targeting people, in particular when he publicly took on a veiled accompanying mother in the presence of her child. The institution calls for responsible public debate and reaffirms its commitment against all forms of hatred and discrimination.
The Council also emphasizes that citizens are not fooled by attempts to confuse public debate through semantic games. According to him, reducing Islamophobia to a simple individual opinion constitutes a serious distortion of the reality experienced by many French people.
Julien Odoul: “Islamophobia is legal in our country.” pic.twitter.com/digapbevSQ
— Oumma.com (@oumma) April 20, 2026
