France to close mosques suspected of “separatism”

As part of this crackdown on Islamic terrorism, 2600 places of Muslim Worship will be inspected

The French government has announced that it could close several mosques across the country for security purposes. The decision comes as an attempt to contain the spread of radicalism and terrorist attacks that have soared recently.

As part of this crackdown on Islamic terrorism, 2600 places of Muslim Worship will be inspected and a decision will be taken to close those that endorse radical values.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said in a tweet that “In the coming days, checks will be carried out on these places of worship. If ever these doubts are confirmed, I will ask for their closure.”  The right-wing minister described these raids as “a massive and unprecedented action against separatism.”

In an interview with the French radio station RTL, Darmanin stated that “Seventy-six mosques suspected of separatism are going to be inspected in the coming days and those that should be closed will be closed.” He also disclosed that 66 migrants were expelled from the country on the basis of radicalization allegations.

According to France24 reports, Darmanin sent a note to regional security chiefs containing 16 addresses in the Paris region and 60 others around the country.

However, the minister of interior declared that not all Muslim worship places are suspected of propagating extremism stressing that “Nearly all Muslims in France respect the laws of the Republic and are hurt by that [radicalisation].

These measures come as a response to the terrorist attacks that rocketed in France namely the beheading of a schoolteacher in Paris and the murder of three people in Nice two weeks later.

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