Controversy Erupts Over Paris Mosque Official’s Statements on the Hijab

Paris, France – Recent statements by the Rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris, Chems-Eddine Hafiz, regarding the wearing of the hijab have ignited a widespread controversy. During a television interview, he asserted that “the hijab should not exist in France today,” sparking strong reactions within the Muslim community and the political sphere.

These remarks come in an already tense context, marked by the declarations of Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, who called for “removing the hijab” in the realm of sports, citing the strict application of secularism.

A Nuanced Stance on Wearing the Hijab

While expressing his opposition to the presence of the hijab in France, Chems-Eddine Hafiz was careful to qualify his statement by emphasizing his disapproval of stigmatizing women who choose to wear it. “Where I disagree with Bruno Retailleau is that we should not stigmatize women who want to wear the headscarf,” he stated. He also indicated that he sees “no objection” to a woman wearing the hijab in public spaces like universities, believing that it is not his place to judge these personal choices.

Reactions and Criticisms

The religious leader’s statements have triggered a wave of criticism, particularly within the Muslim community. Numerous voices on social media expressed their condemnation of this position, deeming it “disloyal.” For instance, the Algerian Union association published a strongly worded message on X, accusing Chems-Eddine Hafiz of “trampling on history” and “fueling hatred” against Muslim women. The association’s statement read: “With his declarations, Chems-Eddine Hafiz is not defending secularism: he is continuing to push the Overton window towards the most abject forms of Islamophobia.”

This controversy highlights the complexity and sensitivity of the ongoing debate surrounding the wearing of the hijab in France, raising important questions about secularism, religious freedom, and respect for individual choices.