The rector of the Mosque of Paris expressed this Wednesday his "great incomprehension" after the remarks made by the Minister of Education Sunday, May 7 on a "rise" of attacks on secularism at school, in connection with Ramadan.
Pap Ndiaye said Sunday that "about 500 cases" of attacks on secularism had been identified in March in schools, colleges and high schools, figures up from previous months. "There is always a rise, every year at the time of Ramadan," he said without specifying the nature of these attacks on secularism during this holy month for Muslims.
'Exasperation'
In a letter to the minister made public on the social network Twitter, the rector Chems eddine-Hafiz wonders about "the serious analysis that would have led (the minister, editor's note) to this very categorical observation". "I am especially concerned about the scope, among our fellow citizens, of such an assertion whose discriminatory nature is little doubt," he adds, saying both his "exasperation", but also his "full willingness to exchange with [him] on the issue".
Contacted by AFP, the ministry explains that "the minister never wanted to stigmatize a religion. He was referring to the ministry's reports which may indicate at the time of religious holidays an increase in reports". "This is why the ministry has put in place a teacher training plan so that they are better accompanied and more vigilant when these cases arise," he continued.