• Thousands across France hold vigils and silent marches demanding justice after the murder of a Muslim worshipper who was killed inside a mosque in La Grand-Combe.
• Muslim organizations and activists call for the attack to be classified as terrorism and urge stronger protections for mosques amid growing concerns over Islamophobia.
France is witnessing a powerful wave of protests and vigils following the brutal killing of 22-year-old Aboubakar Cissé, a Malian immigrant and dedicated member of the Muslim community, who was stabbed to death while praying at the Khadidja Mosque in La Grand-Combe on April 25, 2025.
The murder, carried out with chilling brutality by a 21-year-old suspect who reportedly filmed himself shouting anti-Muslim slurs during the attack, has sparked widespread outrage and renewed demands for action against Islamophobia in France.
In La Grand-Combe, more than a thousand residents took to the streets on April 27 in a solemn, silent march. Beginning at the mosque where Cissé was killed, the crowd made its way to the town hall, carrying banners that called for unity and condemned religious hatred. Participants from all walks of life — Muslims, non-Muslims, immigrants, and longtime residents — joined together in mourning and solidarity.
The spirit of protest quickly spread beyond La Grand-Combe. In Paris, hundreds gathered at the historic Place de la République, a square known for political demonstrations and movements for justice. Many held candles and placards bearing simple but urgent messages: “End Islamophobia” and “Justice for Aboubakar.”
Organized in part by groups like SOS Racisme, the protests drew support from political figures across the left-wing spectrum. Rima Hassan of La France Insoumise and Green Party leader Marine Tondelier were among those who publicly showed solidarity, emphasizing the need for stronger protections for minority communities.
“We are here to say loud and clear that a young man was killed because of his faith,” said one protester in Paris. “This cannot become normal in France.”
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the murder, stating that “racism and hatred based on religion will never have a place in France.” Prime Minister François Bayrou also labeled the crime an “Islamophobic attack” and pledged the government’s full commitment to ensuring religious freedom.
However, many activists and community leaders argue that words are not enough. Organizations such as the French Council of the Muslim Faith have called for the government to formally classify the attack as an act of terrorism, not just a hate crime. They are also demanding a national plan to secure Muslim places of worship, arguing that attacks on mosques have become disturbingly frequent in recent years.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau visited nearby Alès to meet with Muslim leaders and promised a thorough investigation. But trust remains fragile among many Muslim communities, who fear that unless systemic changes are made, tragedies like this will continue.
International reactions were swift and strong. Egypt’s prestigious Al-Azhar University issued a statement condemning the “heinous act of terrorism,” warning that the normalization of anti-Muslim narratives in European politics and media creates fertile ground for such attacks. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also released a statement urging the French government to treat the incident with the seriousness it deserves and to implement meaningful reforms to protect its Muslim citizens.
The ongoing protests reflect a broader reckoning within French society. While France prides itself on the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity, critics argue that the country’s strict interpretation of secularism — laïcité — has at times marginalized its Muslim population rather than protected it.
For now, across cities large and small, candles continue to burn in memory of Aboubakar Cissé — a young man whose death has become a symbol of both sorrow and a resurgent demand for justice.
