Rising anti-Muslim violence in France: Another mosque targeted in Roussillon

Monday 30 June 2025 - 10:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Rising anti-Muslim violence in France: Another mosque targeted in Roussillon

A wave of anti-Muslim incidents is once again under scrutiny after an attack on the El Hidaya Mosque in Roussillon, southeastern France, on Saturday. The mosque was vandalized in the early hours of the morning, with masked perpetrators smashing windows, overturning furniture, and plastering hate-filled leaflets on its walls. Similar flyers were scattered across the premises.

The mosque’s overseeing religious association has filed a formal complaint, prompting authorities to launch an investigation to identify those responsible. This attack is part of a broader trend of rising anti-Muslim violence in France, with a 72% increase in Islamophobic acts recorded between January and March 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

Recent incidents highlight growing tensions

Just weeks before, the Errahma Mosque in Villeurbanne was desecrated, with a burned Quran discovered at its entrance. These incidents have sparked alarm across the country, as Muslim communities grapple with increasing hostility fueled by divisive rhetoric in political and social spheres.

Condemnation and calls for action

The Grand Mosque of Paris condemned the Roussillon attack as an "Islamophobic act," expressing solidarity with Nouredine Louchene, president of the Association Cultuelle des Musulmans de Roussillon (ACMR), and the local Muslim community. In a statement, the Grand Mosque urged authorities to act swiftly to address the issue and protect vulnerable communities.

A rising climate of hostility

The rise in anti-Muslim acts raises concerns about the safety of Muslim communities in France. Activists and religious leaders are calling for a more robust societal and governmental response to counter the growing wave of hate. The attack on the El Hidaya Mosque underscores the urgency of addressing Islamophobia and ensuring the security of places of worship and the people who rely on them.