Prayer by Muslim travellers at Paris airport stirs controversy in France

Photographs of Muslim travelers engaging in a collective prayer at a French airport have sparked controversy. On Monday, the French government expressed its commitment to enforcing the rules, and the airport operator described the incident as unfortunate. The images, which went viral on social media on Sunday, showed several dozen travellers in the departure area of Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris praying together before their flight to Jordan. The controversy comes as tensions in France rise due to the conflict between Hamas and Israel. The picture was shared on social media by Noelle Lenoir, a former European affairs minister under right-wing president Jacques Chirac. “What does the CEO of Aeroports de Paris do when his airport is transformed into a mosque? Is the change in status official?” she wrote.

#ADP #Islam Photo du 5/11/23 à #RoissyCharlesdeGaulle. Que fait le PDG de #Aeroports de #Paris quand son aéroport se transforme en #mosquée? Le changement d’affectation est-il officiel ???? 🇫🇷🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/IbJNE8M7fd

— noelle lenoir (@noellelenoir) November 5, 2023

French Transport Minister Clement Beaune said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that airport authorities were fully committed to implementing rules and vowed “firmness”. Approximately 30 travelers participated in the 10-minute prayer in terminal 2B of France’s largest airport, according to AFP. Special designated areas within the airport are available for individuals of all faiths to engage in private prayer. France is strictly secular and there are limits on displays of religious belief in public spaces such as schools and public buildings including airports. “This is a regrettable first,” the chief executive of operator Aeroports de Paris (ADP), Augustin de Romanet, wrote on X. “Dedicated places of worship exist,” he added. “The border police have been instructed to prohibit this and will increase their vigilance.” De Romanet also warned against exaggerating the incident “at this time”, in an apparent allusion to the war between Israel and Hamas. With inputs from agencies