French politicians disrupt Muslim prayers

While the police were deputed to maintain the peace, minor scuffles did occur

Around a hundred French politicians marched in the streets of Clichy on Friday, disrupting Muslims who were praying in public.

Tensions over Muslim street prayers north of Paris https://t.co/meTcVF1GUi pic.twitter.com/ekFQiw5utH

— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) November 10, 2017

The politicians wore their sashes of office and sang the national anthem as they disrupted the prayers of around 200 worshippers in the Parisian suburb. The group included centrist politicians in addition to those with right wing views.

Protest was organized by right-wing mayor...but group of officials also included members of centrist MoDem, which is part of government's parliamentary coalition. https://t.co/F0fLyglWC6

— Cole Stangler (@ColeStangler) November 10, 2017

 

One of the Muslims praying, Abdelkader, told AFP that the Muslims did not like praying on the streets either and simply desired a 'dignified' place of worship. He also highlighted his distate at the protestors singing the French national anthem.

"They were singing the Marseillaise, throwing it in our faces, even though we're French people here. We're French. Long live France!" he said. While the police were deputed to maintain the peace, violence did break out.



Rémi Muzeau, the right-wing mayor of Clichy, demanded that the interior ministry ban public prayers, saying: "I am responsible for guaranteeing the tranquillity and freedom of everyone in my town." "Public space cannot be taken over in this way," said Valérie Pécresse, president of the Paris regional council, who led Friday's protest by councillors and MPs.