Nadine Osman
A suspected arson attack took place outside the Assounna Mosque on Rue Victorine-Autier in Amiens, northern France on October 29. Mosque officials reported that the attacker(s) set fire to pieces of carpet outside, damaging a rear PVC door. While the fire was quickly contained, the incident left the local Muslim community feeling more concerned about their safety.
“It happened around dawn. People arriving for fajr prayers noticed the smell of smoke,” said Bilal Furtado, vice president of the mosque’s managing association. “They found evidence of an intentional fire, with matches and firelighters nearby. It’s unsettling, especially in a place meant to be peaceful and welcoming.”
The mosque quickly filed a complaint with local authorities. Rollon Mouchel-Blaisot, Chief of Staff to the Préfet of the Somme, expressed the state’s support for the Muslim community in Amiens, pledging increased security around religious sites, particularly during festivals. Zahia Hamdane, MP for the Somme, condemned the act as an “act of hatred.” Rassemblement National representative Damien Toumi also called for enhanced security measures and increased surveillance around places of worship.
The incident follows a recent fire at the Eyyub Sultan Grand Mosque construction site in Strasbourg, sparking concerns across Muslim communities in France. Both incidents have been troubling amid a growing trend of rising anti-Muslim sentiment. According to the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, 39% of Muslims in France report experiencing discrimination, with a 57% increase in reported incidents in 2023, as noted by the Collectif Contre l’Islamophobie en Europe. A spokesperson from the Amiens mosque association linked the attacks to a political climate fueling such acts.
Mohamed Rahhali, former president of the mosque’s managing association, emphasised the mosque’s role in uniting the community, stating, “We organise events that bring the neighbourhood together. It’s upsetting to see an attack like this against what we’ve built.” The Muslim Cultural and Religious Association (AMCC) condemned the attack, calling for justice and reaffirming the right to worship in peace.
