Brutal knife attack in mosque: Prime Minister condemns fatal incident

Brutal knife attack in mosque: Prime Minister condemns fatal incident

On Friday there was a shocking incident at a mosque in the southern French village of La Grand-Combe, in which a believer was killed by dozens of stab wounds. The perpetrator, who is said to have filmed the crime and shouted Islamophobic curses, then fled the scene. According to prosecutor Abdelkrim Grini, the attacker is already being searched for while the anti-terror prosecutor's office is considering taking over the case. The victim, a young man who regularly attended the mosque, was found as other worshipers arrived for Friday prayers. At the time of the attack, only the perpetrator and the victim were in the mosque; the attacker was not previously known and was not seen in the community.

The frightening crime is condemned by the French government. The Prime Minister stressed the need to investigate all aspects of this killing. Islamophobic attacks in France have increased sharply in recent years. The European Islamophobia Report 2023 shows that anti-Muslim incidents in France have increased by 29%. This increase has been strongly linked to the “anti-separatism law” and broader social sentiment favoring discrimination and violence against Muslims.

Context of Islamophobia in Europe

The report, written by 33 experts, examines the spread of Islamophobia in 28 European countries and documents an alarming increase in Islamophobic incidents, particularly after Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip in October 2023. A total of 1,926 Islamophobic incidents were recorded in Germany in 2023, an increase of 114% compared to the previous year, with most incidents taking place after October 7th.

Furthermore, the report shows that anti-Muslim racism manifests itself not only in physical violence, but also in discrimination in the workplace and in education. Muslim women, especially those who wear headscarves, have a particularly difficult time in the world of work and are 40% less likely to be invited to interviews.

Demands to combat discrimination

The document calls for more precise recording of Islamophobic incidents and stricter legal measures. Critical portrayals of Muslims in the media reinforce anti-Muslim narratives and contribute to the erosion of trust in European societies. To counteract this, a uniform definition of Islamophobia is called for, as is the promotion of educational programs to raise awareness about racism and discrimination.

The current incident in La Grand-Combe makes the urgent need to combat hate crime and support the communities affected even clearer. The Prime Minister and other officials must take decisive action to ensure a safe and inclusive society for all citizens.