A major gathering of Muslims in northern Paris is going ahead as planned after a French court overturned a government bid to ban it.
The Paris police department had argued that the four-day Annual Encounter of Muslims of France presented a security threat as it could be a target for terrorism. However, the event's organizers, the Muslims of France (MF) association, sought an emergency injunction to proceed, arguing that a ban would violate basic civil liberties.
The administrative court agreed with the organizers, overturning the government's decree just two hours before the planned opening. The court noted that the information provided by police did not substantiate the claims of possible counter-demonstrations or targeted attacks from far-right groups.
Furthermore, the ruling highlighted that the police did not sufficiently demonstrate that the event would cause an undue strain on resources, especially since the organizers had assured extra security measures.
Historically, this gathering has been a key event for the Muslim community in France, blending cultural and religious themes with a trade fair atmosphere. It has not been held since 2019 and typically attracted tens of thousands of attendees from across Europe.
The MF association is France's largest Muslim organization, often criticized for its ties to the international Muslim Brotherhood, which it denies. Justifying the ban previously, the Paris police cited heightened risks surrounding the Muslim community in a politically charged atmosphere and potential threats from small far-right factions.
Amidst allegations of foreign influence inciting unrest against gatherings like this, the government also introduced new legislation targeting "anti-separatism," aiming to regulate Muslim organizations perceived to diverge from French republican values. This law complements earlier legislation enacted five years ago allowing the closure of associations accused of promoting Islamic separatism.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez emphasized the need for more control over collective childcare and to ban publications promoting hate or violence. However, a police representative asserted that the intent of the ban was solely to maintain public order and not to discriminate against Muslims or Islam.
