128 anti-Muslim acts were reported in France (outside Paris) in the 2 weeks following the Paris attacks, which is almost as many as for the entire 2014 year, revealed l’Observatoire National contre l’Islamophobie (French centre monitoring islamophobia) to AFP on Friday. This number was reached by adding up complaints filed with security forces, police and gendarmerie (special policing branch) in France minus Paris and its suburbs, which will be reviewed separately at a later date.
These acts are generally attacks on mosques (33), or insults and threats (95), adds the Observatoire, an institution which is part of the CFCM (French Council of the Muslim Faith).
In 2014, a total of 133 anti-Muslim acts were reported, compared to 226 in 2013, according to the same source.
“These figures are not a true reflection of reality however, because many Muslims are reluctant to systematically file complaints when they are the victims of xenophobic acts. They think nothing will be done about it, which is sadly very often the case,” comments l’Observatoire, adding that “discrimination” is not included in this report.
Since the January 7th-9th attacks by French jihadists in Paris, “Islamophobic acts show such a degree of hatred towards French Muslims as has never been encountered before,” affirms Abdallah Zekri (President of l’Observatoire) in a press release.
“For the first time instances of hand grenades and gunfire have been reported,” laments Mr. Zekri, without mentioning where these incidents took place and whom they targeted.
Mr. Zekri deplores a “depressing” lack of condemnation of these “disgusting acts” by French politicians, “apart from the condemnation” by the government.
Islam is the second religion in France, with between 3.5 and 5 million worshippers, and between 2,300 and 3,000 mosques and prayer centres.
(Source: Belga)
