Source: Connexion – Eye on Islamism

French seaside town bans bathers from wearing burkinis The mayor of Fréjus said burkinis ‘run counter to our fundamental republican principle of secularism’

August 4, 2023 Hannah Thompson

(Connexion) The mayor of a popular seaside town in south-east France has issued a decree banning the burkini from beaches, citing “hygiene and safety” reasons. The burkini — a word that comes from “burqa” (a full-covering garment worn by some Muslim women) […]

France pays homage to Paris terrorism attacks seven years on Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and former president François Hollande have paid homage to the victims of the attacks today (November 13) in memory of the 130 who lost their lives

November 13, 2022 Hannah Thompson

(Connexion) French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne is among those to have paid homage to the victims of the terrorist attacks of November 13, seven years after 130 died and 350 were injured. A minute of silence was observed today, November 13, 2022, […]

Eight to stand trial six years after Bastille Day attack in Nice The trial will take place in the same Paris courtroom as the historic November 13 Paris attack trial and broadcast back to a centre in Nice

August 31, 2022 Unlisted Author

(Connexion) The trial of eight suspects in relation to the Bastille Day attack in Nice begins on September 5, six years after a terrorist drove a lorry into a crowd, killing 86 people and injuring more than 450. Accused of helping attacker […]

Marine Le Pen says French headscarf ban ‘no longer main priority’ The once key campaign proposal would now be addressed after other measures such as cutting off Islamist funding, and would reportedly not target regular headscarf wearers

April 18, 2022 Hannah Thompson

(Connexion) Banning the Islamic headscarf is no longer a “major priority” for far-right presidential election candidate Marine Le Pen, a member of her team said yesterday, in a U-turn on previous campaign pledges. “Banning the headscarf” was one of Ms Le Pen’s […]

Family of murdered school teacher Samuel Paty sue French ministries They accuse French intelligence services and local education authorities of not having done enough to prevent the teacher’s 2020 murder

April 6, 2022 Thomas Brent

(Connexion) The family of Samuel Paty, the French school teacher murdered by a jihadist in October 2020, is suing the ministries of education and interior for “non-assistance of a person in danger” and “non-prevention of a crime.” They accuse the intelligence services […]

Criticism as mayor of Nice says city will not accept Afghan refugees Mayor said decision was due to Nice having been a victim of ‘considerable terrorism’ in recent years but many have criticised his linking of refugees and terrorism

August 18, 2021 Hannah Thompson

(Connexion) Nice will not allow Afghan refugees to settle, mayor Christian Estrosi has said, because the city has suffered due to Islamic terrorism in recent years. When asked on RTL if Nice would welcome refugees, Mr Estrosi said: “No, no, it’s very […]

Senate votes to ban signs of religion on school trips

October 30, 2019 Unlisted Author

(Connexion) The French Senate has voted to ban parents from displaying any signs of religion or wearing religious clothing when accompanying their children on public school trips. The measure was voted through on Tuesday, October 29, by 163 votes to 114, with […]

French president says Muslim hijab ‘not my business’

October 25, 2019 Unlisted Author

(Connexion) President Emmanuel Macron has said that it is “not his business” whether Muslim women wear a hijab in public spaces — but that it “is his business” when it comes to public services. The president commented on the row over the […]

Paris pool closes due to ‘pro-burkini’ protest

September 3, 2019 Unlisted Author

(Connexion) A public pool in Paris closed this weekend after pro-burkini activists mounted a protest against the ban on the body-covering swimsuit, and demanding “access for all to leisure facilities.” Protesters gathered at the pool in the 11th arrondissement on Sunday, September […]