Chems-Eddine Hafiz, the rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris, in turmoil
But what has stung Chems-Eddine Hafiz? Saturday August 13, Salman Rushdie has just been stabbed during a conference given in the United States. All eyes turn to the writer in mortal danger, of course, but also to the main figures of Islam in France to observe their reaction. Stupor: the rector of the Great Mosque of Paris (GMP), reputed to be moderate, published on social networks what appears to be an Islamic hadith with violent content. ” The believers will prostrate while the disbelievers may not be able to, their backs will remain stiff and when one of them keeps prostrating, his neck will go in the opposite direction as the disbelievers will cause in this world, unlike the believers. »
Faced with the outcry, the message was quickly removed. Hafiz observes the following days a long silence, before revealing, on the evening of August 15, the content of an open letter Manager at Salman Rushdie. This letter is intended to be unambiguous. Critique the fatwa targeting the writer, written ” infamous message “, the rector of the GMP calls on Muslims to be more open-minded: “ The day when we will understand that criticism of Islam in no way weakens our faith, then a new stage will begin towards possible progress. »
Hello @chemshafiz your hateful tweet falls under the 1905 law, like your pro-Macron political evening at the mosque in paris, a minister of religion does not have to pit citizens against each other, the “stiff-backed miscreants” You say a lot of things. pic.twitter.com/mQyWBZG7ZO
— Lily Dufret #Charlie #Paty #Mila #Freedom (@liberte_lily) August 15, 2022
I translated a letter to #SalmanRushdie to preserve him a speedy recovery and to express to him my total rejection of the assassination attempt of which he was the victim. Respect for life and tolerance are essential in Islam: it is impossible to accept this heinous act. pic.twitter.com/qk2KwbSlNz
– Hafiz Chems-eddine (@chemshafiz) August 15, 2022