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Mosque makes French legal history in its fight against religious extremism Mosque makes French legal history in its fight against religious extremism
(about 9 hours later)
A mosque near Lyon made legal history by succesfully appealing to France’s law separating church and state to win protection from religious extremism in the form of a disruptive Salafist preacher. A mosque near Lyon made legal history by successfully appealing to France’s law separating church and state to win protection from religious extremism in the form of a disruptive Salafist preacher.
A court convicted Faouzi Saidi, 51, of breaking France’s century-old “secularity” law by trying to disrupt services at the mosque at Oullins in the Lyon suburbs. He was fined €1,000 with another €500 fine suspended.A court convicted Faouzi Saidi, 51, of breaking France’s century-old “secularity” law by trying to disrupt services at the mosque at Oullins in the Lyon suburbs. He was fined €1,000 with another €500 fine suspended.
The 1905 law, which creates a barrier between the French state and all forms of religion, has sometimes been accused of feeding Islamophobia. It has provided justification for recent laws that forbid full-face veils on French streets and ban Islamic headscarves and other religious symbols in French state schools.The 1905 law, which creates a barrier between the French state and all forms of religion, has sometimes been accused of feeding Islamophobia. It has provided justification for recent laws that forbid full-face veils on French streets and ban Islamic headscarves and other religious symbols in French state schools.
However, two lesser-known clauses of the same law  guarantee the right of worship in France.However, two lesser-known clauses of the same law  guarantee the right of worship in France.
For the first time in French legal history, a mosque used those clauses in February to seek protection from Saidi, a follower of the radical Salafist version of Islam, who was accused of holding unauthorised prayer meetings, placing his hands over his ears during official services and organising a menacing bodyguard of young men.For the first time in French legal history, a mosque used those clauses in February to seek protection from Saidi, a follower of the radical Salafist version of Islam, who was accused of holding unauthorised prayer meetings, placing his hands over his ears during official services and organising a menacing bodyguard of young men.
In a delayed ruling, the Lyons court found him guilty.In a delayed ruling, the Lyons court found him guilty.
During the trial in February, Abdelkader Bendidi, president of the Rhône-Alpes Muslim council said the case was an important step towards protecting moderate Islam from the growing influence of Salafism and other radical movements.During the trial in February, Abdelkader Bendidi, president of the Rhône-Alpes Muslim council said the case was an important step towards protecting moderate Islam from the growing influence of Salafism and other radical movements.
After the jihadist attacks in Paris in January, he said, “We must sound an alarm bell. Mosques have an important role to play in the fight against extremism. The public authorities must help us.”After the jihadist attacks in Paris in January, he said, “We must sound an alarm bell. Mosques have an important role to play in the fight against extremism. The public authorities must help us.”
Mr Saidi denied any intention to disrupt the Oullins mosque – which is one of the oldest in France.Mr Saidi denied any intention to disrupt the Oullins mosque – which is one of the oldest in France.
He told the Associated Press that his only crime was to “have a big mouth”. “I don’t understand why I’ve been convicted,” he said. “I practice religion as it is prescribed.”He told the Associated Press that his only crime was to “have a big mouth”. “I don’t understand why I’ve been convicted,” he said. “I practice religion as it is prescribed.”
The religion-protecting clauses of the 1905 law were last used 25 years ago when a group of drunks were successfully prosecuted for disrupting a Catholic Christmas mass.The religion-protecting clauses of the 1905 law were last used 25 years ago when a group of drunks were successfully prosecuted for disrupting a Catholic Christmas mass.