by 
April 28, 2025, 16:21
In a horrific Islamophobic attack, a young Muslim man named Abubakar was brutally murdered in a mosque in La Grande-Combe, southern France, on Friday, April 25. The 20-year-old Malian national was stabbed approximately 50 times by the assailant while he was at the mosque for prayers. The attacker, a French citizen of Bosnian descent, remains at large, with authorities actively pursuing his capture.
A video of the attack, recorded on a mobile phone, was widely circulated on social media, sparking widespread outrage across France. The gruesome killing has intensified concerns about rising Islamophobia and religious intolerance in the country.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the murder, stating, “There is no place for religious hatred or racism in France.” Muslim and Jewish organizations in France have also issued strong condemnations, expressing solidarity with all faith communities.
On Sunday, April 27, a protest rally was held at Place de la République in Paris to denounce Islamophobia and promote religious tolerance. Among the attendees was Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the La France Insoumise party, who expressed deep condolences to Abubakar’s family and called for unity against hatred. “Our message is clear: all believers must be bound by the ties of fraternity. We will resist racism and violence that target freedom of worship and conscience,” Mélenchon said.
The crowd at the rally observed a minute of silence in response to his call for solidarity. The incident has triggered widespread grief and anger, particularly among France’s Muslim community, who are increasingly concerned about their safety and the rise in religiously motivated violence.
The French administration is under mounting pressure to take effective measures to ensure religious tolerance and protect human rights. Analysts believe this tragedy could further intensify protests against religious hatred and racism, highlighting a deeper crisis within France’s multicultural society.
AI/MR
