The Council of State rejected Monday the request of an association contesting in summary the administrative closure of the Mosque of Allonnes (Sarthe), suspected of promoting a radical practice of Islam.
In its ordinance dated November 29, the Council of State considers in particular that "
the prefect of Sarthe was able, without committing an error of law or of fact, to estimate that the remarks made and the ideas and theories disseminated by the place of worship (...) constituted provocations justifying (...) its temporary closure (...)
”.
"
By taking the contested measure, he did not violate manifestly illegal freedom of religion
", further indicates the Council of State.
Read alsoClosure of the Allonnes mosque: the Council of State referred to in summary proceedings
At the end of October, the Nantes administrative court had already rejected a request for interim relief requesting the suspension of the order of the prefect of Sarthe. In mid-November, the managers of this mosque had decided to seize in summary proceedings the Council of State, the highest administrative jurisdiction in France, to obtain the lifting of the measure. “
In a completely spectacular manner, the reproaches formulated against the Allonnes mosque are based on peremptory assertions contained in
“ white notes ”
, unsigned and undated documents, emanating from the intelligence services to the exclusion of any precise and concrete element
”, had thus affirmed the lawyers of the association Al Qalam.
Read also Mosque of Allonnes closed: Muslim associations paid no rent to the City, confirms the mayor
To justify its decision, the prefecture had affirmed that “
the sermons and the activity of this place of worship, frequented by individuals belonging to or close to the radical Islamist movement, legitimize the use of armed jihad, death as a martyr, commission of acts of terrorism and the use of violence, hatred and discrimination as well as the establishment of Sharia law
”.
The measure of closure for six months of this mosque near Le Mans, which hosted around 300 worshipers, has been in effect since October 27.
