French Interior Minister Condemns Attack on Mosque, Expresses Support for Muslims

A new wave of frustration and discontent has swept through the Muslim community in France following an attack on the mosque of Saint Martin des Champs, a commune in the Finistère department of Brittany in northwest France

According to France 3, an individual set fire to one of the mosques on Saturday, January 13, sparking backlash and frustration among Muslims in the region and throughout the country. A surveillance video documented the attack when an individual set fire to the door of a mosque room. There were no casualties following the attack.

The prefecture, according to the same source, “reacted promptly, and strongly condemned the act against a place of worship.”

The Prefect of Finistère Alain Espinasse denounced the attack while extending support for Muslims in the commune as well as the mosque personnel.

Minister of Interior Gerald Darmanin also expressed support for Muslims in northwest France.

“Support for Muslims in Finistere following the damage to the Morlaix mosque this morning. An investigation has been opened so that the perpetrator of these acts can be prosecuted,” he said on X, formerly Twitter.

This is not the first attack on a mosque in France. In many cities across the country, Muslim communities have been overwhelmed by different racist attacks, including offensive comments on social media, and acts of vandalism or sabotage targeting mosques, cemeteries, and Muslim-run businesses.

One of the latest attacks was in November 2023, when and islamophobic graffiti was sprayed on the Pessac Mosque in Girone. The anti-Muslim tags included threats like “France for the French,” and “Your coffins or your suitcases.”

The perpetrators also painted the Crosses of Lorraine, symbolizing the French resistance to the Nazi occupation in the 40s. The symbol is commonly used by some sympathizers of far-right causes in France, who peddle the Islamophobic arguments that Muslims are “invading France.”