The Grand Mosque of Paris responds to CNews accusations

The Grand Mosque of Paris denounces with the greatest firmness the intolerable slanderous campaign carried out against it and against its rector, Me Chems-eddine Hafiz, by the television channel CNews and some low-level personalities.

This weekend on CNews, an obscure “blogger”, Chawki Benzehra, made serious accusations claiming that our institution was seeking to destabilize France. A few days earlier, the former French ambassador to Algeria, Xavier Driencourt, known for his blind hostility against the country where he served, was invited to give a similar speech.

The Grand Mosque of Paris entirely rejects these defamatory remarks which are part of CNews’ global strategy aimed at discriminating against all Muslims in France, denying them the simple right to exist in our country, and spreading the poison of the extreme right in our society.

This campaign is no coincidence: it is partly the result of the strong positions and commitments of the Grand Mosque of Paris against the far-right, particularly during the last elections in June and July 2024.

We regret the absence of contradiction and the silence of the French authorities when certain small groups and extremist ideologues lead a sneaky campaign to try to destabilize the Grand Mosque of Paris.

We remind you that the Great Mosque of Paris, a century-old building, is governed by an association under French law – like all the mosques affiliated to it on French territory.

This in no way prevents it from benefiting from strong and historic ties with Algeria, in perfect agreement with the French State and in complete coherence with the virtuous and universal missions of the institution.

Since its creation, the Grand Mosque of Paris has therefore played a constructive and positive role for the relationship between the two countries, while indiscriminately promoting the harmonious development of Muslim worship and the citizenship of Muslims in France.

The Grand Mosque of Paris intends to remain an independent institution, carrying the voice of Islam and all Muslims in France, fraternally open to others and to the world by cultivating links with many countries, including Algeria.

The Grand Mosque of Paris reserves the right to take legal action against any false allegation broadcast by CNews, or by other media, when it undermines the integrity of the institution and our fellow Muslim citizens that it represents. .

At the start of this year, we solemnly call on all French citizens to commit to appeasement, unity and social cohesion, for which Muslims in France work every day.