(Radio France) The mosque in the north-Paris suburb of Pantin is open for Friday prayers for the first time in six months. It was closed by police last October, following accusations that some members had contributed to the on-line campaign against Samuel Paty, the teacher beheaded after he used caricatures of the Prophet Mahomet in a class on free speech.
The re-opening follows a change in the management structure which has seen M’Hammed Henniche step down from his position as president of the local Muslim federation.
His replacement, Abdourahmane Dramé, has spoken of the “great joy” which he shares with the congregation estimated at 2,000 faithful, that they can once again practice their religion locally.
Abdourahmane Dramé says he has not forgotten the reasons for the closure.
