Paris airport's namaz incident ignites controversy, authorities promise stern action

A recent social media storm was triggered by images of dozens of Muslim travelers collectively offering Namaz (prayer) at a French airport. The photos quickly went viral, drawing attention from netizens and politicians who pointed out the presence of dedicated prayer spaces within airports and public facilities. In response to the controversy, the French government pledged to handle such incidents firmly, while the airport authorities expressed regret and promised increased vigilance.

The images were initially shared on social media by former European affairs minister Noelle Lenoir. She questioned the CEO of Aéroports de Paris regarding the transformation of the airport into a prayer space and inquired if the change in status was official.

#ADP #Islam Photo du 5/11/23 à #RoissyCharlesdeGaulle. Que fait le PDG de #Aeroports de #Paris quand son aéroport se transforme en #mosquée? Le changement d’affectation est-il officiel ???? 🇫🇷🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/IbJNE8M7fd — noelle lenoir (@noellelenoir) November 5, 2023

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The photos, posted on November 5, showed several dozen travelers collectively offering Namaz in the departures hall of Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris before a flight to Jordan. According to reports, the prayer took place at terminal 2B, with approximately 30 travelers participating, and it lasted for about 10 minutes.

🇫🇷 FLASH - Une prière collective musulmane ayant eu lieu hier à l’aéroport Roissy-Charles de Gaulle suscite la polémique. Cette photo diffusée par Noëlle Lenoir, ancienne ministre des Affaires étrangères, se demande ce que fait le PDG des Aéroports de Paris "quand son aéroport se… pic.twitter.com/KCpEF9hdwO — AlertesInfos (@AlertesInfos) November 6, 2023

France is known for its strict secular policies, which include limitations on displays of religious belief in public spaces like airports and schools. Public places, including airports, typically have designated areas for private prayer for individuals of all faiths.

Transport Minister Clément Beaune confirmed that airport authorities were committed to enforcing the rules and emphasized the need for firmness in this regard. Ruling party MP Astrid Panosyan-Bouvet reiterated the existence of dedicated places of worship at the airport and the necessity to adhere to the prevailing rules in France, including at airports.

Une fermeté et un rappel des règles nécessaires, les équipes de nos aéroports y sont totalement engagées. https://t.co/7An4RNjsPo — Clement Beaune (@CBeaune) November 6, 2023

Quoi ? Il y a des lieux de culte spécialement dédiés à l’aéroport . Ces pratiques, quelles qu’elles soient, tout simplement inacceptables
A @GroupeADP et @policenationale aux frontières de rappeler les règles qui prévalent en République Française, y compris dans nos aéroports. https://t.co/b03KUDNYBR — Astrid Panosyan-Bouvet (@AstridPanosyan) November 5, 2023

Augustin de Romanet, the chief executive of Aéroports de Paris (ADP), called the incident "regrettable" and underlined the presence of dedicated places of worship within the airport. He also stated that border police had been instructed to prohibit such incidents and would increase vigilance. De Romanet cautioned against exaggerating the incident, referencing security concerns related to the Israel-Hamas conflict and previous false bomb threats in France.

1) il s agit d’une première, regrettable;
2) des lieux de culte dédiés existent;
3) la Police aux frontières @DCPAFcom a instruction d’interdire cela et va redoubler de vigilance;
4) pas nécessaire de monter cet épisode,inédit, en exergue en ce moment. https://t.co/X0pApLQSQP — Augustin de Romanet (@Romanet) November 5, 2023