Paris: The French National Assembly observed a minute of silence on Tuesday for Aboubakar Cisse, a young Malian man fatally stabbed inside a mosque in the Gard region last week, reports Muslim Network TV.
National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet announced the tribute, describing the killing as a “cowardly assassination” that deeply shocked the nation. She emphasised the need for sobriety and dignity, warning against exploiting the tragedy for political gains. The observance came amid rising anti-Muslim violence in France, highlighted by a solidarity march in Paris earlier this week. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at Place de la République, demanding stronger action against Islamophobia.
Civil society groups, political leaders, and religious figures united to condemn what they described as a hostile atmosphere for Muslims in the country.
The tribute sparked controversy within Parliament. Mathilde Panot, leader of the La France Insoumise (LFI) group, accused Braun-Pivet of initially rejecting the proposal under pressure from the far-right Rassemblement National (RN). Panot said the moment of silence was achieved despite resistance, stressing the importance of addressing Islamophobic crimes. Meanwhile, RN leader Marine Le Pen argued such tributes require unanimous agreement, cautioning against “instrumentalization” by political rivals.
Cisse, 24, was attacked while praying, suffering between 40 and 50 stab wounds.
The suspect, a 19-year-old French citizen of Bosnian descent, surrendered in Italy and faces extradition to France.
Chems-Eddine Hafiz, dean of the Paris Mosque, condemned the attack, accusing political and media circles of downplaying anti-Muslim violence. He criticised systemic neglect of Muslim grievances, saying, “Muslims in France are treated as second-class citizens.”
Hafiz pointed to a pattern of indifference, citing incidents like last Ramadan’s mosque arson and the muted response to Cisse’s murder. He called for concrete measures to protect Muslim communities and ensure equality under the law. “Anti-Muslim hostility is ignored or minimized. We must confront the double standards and hear the pain of France’s Muslim citizens,” Hafiz urged.
Hafiz also highlighted the marginalisation of Muslims in political discourse, particularly during election campaigns. He called for an end to stereotypes and scapegoating, asserting that tragedies like Cisse’s murder should galvanise action rather than perpetuate divisions.
