Islam in France: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia


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{{Short description|Overviewnone}} of<!-- "none" is preferred when the roletitle ofis Islamsufficiently indescriptive; France}}see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->

{{Redirect|Muslims of France|the organization with this name|Muslims of France (organization)}}

{{Use American English|date=July 2020}}

{{Infobox religious group

| group = IslamFrench in FranceMuslims

| flag = Allah-green.svg

| flag_caption =

| flag_size = 25px

| image = GD-FR-Paris-Mosquée016.JPG

| image_caption = [[Grand Mosque of Paris|Grand Mosque]], Paris.

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| religions = Predominantly [[Sunni Islam]], minority [[Shia Islam]], [[Ahmadiyya]], [[Sufism]] and [[Ibadi Islam|Ibadism]]

| scriptures =

| languages = Main: French, [[Arabic]], [[Berber languages|BerberAmazigh]], [[Turkish language|Turkish]]

| related-c =

| website =

| notes =

}}

{{Islam in Europe by country}}

{{Islam by country}}

'''[[Islam]] is a minority [[religion in France''']] that is afollowed minorityby faitharound 3 million to 5.7 Muslimsmillion arepeople estimatedin to[[France]], representwhich is around 4% to 10% of the nation's population as per [[Statista]].<ref>{{Cite web |date= December 16, 2022 |title= Sense of belonging to a religion in France 2020 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/996244/feeling-belong-religion-france/ |website=Statista}}</ref> and [[Le Monde]],<ref>{{Cite web |date= October 13, 2022 |title= Poll: French people's ambiguous relationship with religion |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2022/10/13/poll-french-people-s-ambiguous-relationship-with-religion_6000147_7.html |website= Le Monde}}</ref> although [[Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques|Insee]] claims that in metropolitan France this percentage can reach 10%.<ref>{{Cite web |date= 2023 |title= Religious diversity in France: intergenerational transmissions and practices by origins (2019–2020)|url= https://www.insee.fr/en/statistiques/7342918?sommaire=7344042 |website= Insee}}</ref><ref name="insee.fr">{{Cite web |title=Religious diversity in France: intergenerational transmissions and practices by origins − Immigrants and descendants of immigrants {{!}} Insee |url=https://www.insee.fr/en/statistiques/7342918?sommaire=7344042 |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=www.insee.fr}}</ref> After conquering much of the [[Iberian peninsula]], the [[Umayyad Caliphate|Umayyad Muslim]] forces invaded modern day southern France, but were defeated by the [[Franks|Frankish]] Christian army led by [[Charles Martel]] at the [[Battle of Tours]] in 732 AD, thus preventing the possible [[Islamisation]] of Western Europe.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ray|first=Michael|date=2019-06-13|title=Battle of Tours|url=https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Tours-732|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628235956/https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Tours-732|archive-date=2019-06-28|website=Encyclopedia Britannica}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Bunting|first=Tony|title=Battle of Tours|url=https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Tours-732|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914052141/https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Tours-732|archive-date=2017-09-14|website=Encyclopedia Britannica}}</ref> During a later incursion, Muslims established the fortress [[Fraxinetum]]. France's Muslim population grew starting in the second half of the 20th century, following immigration from former French [[French colonial empire|colonies]] and [[protectorates]] in Africa and the Middle East.

In 2023, Muslims made up 10% of the French adult population, according to INSEE.<ref name="insee.fr" />

During the [[Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula|conquest of Iberia]] and the [[Umayyad invasion of Gaul|conquest of Gaul]], the [[Umayyad Caliphate|Umayyad]] forces would conquer and annex the entirety of the [[Iberian Peninsula]] and modern day [[southern France]]. Though they would eventually withdraw in 732 AD. However, [[Septimania]] remained under Umayyad dominance until 759. During a later battle, the [[Al-Andalus|Al Andalusians]] established the fortress [[Fraxinetum]]. France's Muslim population grew starting in the second half of the 20th century, following immigration from former French [[French colonial empire|colonies]] and [[protectorates]] in Africa and the Middle East.

The majority of Muslims in France belong to the [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]] denomination and are of foreign origins. Sizeable minorities of [[Shia]], [[Ahmadiyya]] and [[non-denominational Muslim]]s also exist. The French [[overseas region]] of [[Mayotte]] has a majority Muslim population.

According to a survey in which 536 people of Muslim origin participated, 39% of Muslims in France surveyed by the polling group IFOP said they observed Islam's five prayers daily in 2008, a steady rise from 31% in 1994, according to the study published in the Catholic daily ''[[La Croix (newspaper)|La Croix]]''.<ref name=":32">{{cite news|last=Heneghan|first=Tom|date=17 January 2008|title=French Muslims becoming more observant|website=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-muslims/french-muslims-becoming-more-observant-idUSL176050220080117|access-date=30 October 2020}}</ref> Mosque attendance for Friday prayers has risen to 23% in 2008, up from 16% in 1994, while [[Ramadan]] observance has reached 70% in 2008 compared to 60% in 1994.<ref>''L'Islam en France et les réactions aux attentats du 11 septembre 2001, Résultats détaillés,'' [[Ifop]], HV/LDV No.1-33-1, 28 September 2001</ref> Alcohol consumption also declined from 39% to 34%.<ref name=":32" />

The Insee and the National Institute for Demographic Studies in france found that the use of the veil for Muslim women has increased by 55 percent in ten years, from 2009 to 2020. And that 26% of Muslim women between the ages of 18 and 49 advocate its use. Observable increase among all geographic origins, for the second and third generation, with higher percentages, however, among women who arrived from Turkey and the Middle East.<ref>https://newdailycompass.com/en/france-immigration-strengthens-muslim-presence</ref>

==History==

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[[File:Père-Lachaise - Division 85 - enclos musulman 02.jpg|thumb|Funeral in Muslim section of [[Père Lachaise Cemetery]], 1865]]

[[File:Père-Lachaise - Division 85 - Mosquée 03.jpg|thumb|Muslim section of Père Lachaise, between 1903 and 1914]]

AfterDuring theirthe [[UmayyadMuslim conquest of Hispaniathe Iberian Peninsula|conquest of HispaniaIberia]] and the [[Umayyad invasion of Gaul|invasionconquest of Gaul]], the [[Arab]] [[Umayyad dynastyCaliphate|UmayyadsUmayyad]] wereforces defeatedwould atconquer and annex the entirety of the [[BattleIberian ofPeninsula]] Toursand modern day [[southern France]]. Though they would eventually withdraw in 732 AD. However, [[Septimania]] however remained under ArabUmayyad controldominance until 759. During a later battle, the [[Al-Andalus|Al Andalusians]] established the fortress [[Fraxinetum]].

In 838, the ''[[Annales Bertiniani]]'' record that Muslims raided [[Marseille]] in southern France, plundered its religious houses and took captive both men and women, clerical and lay, as slaves. In 842, the ''Annales'' report a raid in the vicinity of [[Arles]]. In 869, raiders returned to Arles and captured the archbishop, [[Roland (archbishop of Arles)|Roland]]. They accepted a ransom in return for the archbishop, but when they handed him over he was already dead{{how?|date=April 2024}}.<ref>{{cite book |first=Scott G. |last=Bruce |title=Cluny and the Muslims of La Garde-Freinet: Hagiography and the Problem of Islam in Medieval Europe |url=https://archive.org/details/clunymuslimsofla00bruc |url-access=registration |publisher=Cornell University Press |year=2016|isbn=9780801452994 |pages=22–23}}</ref> The construction of a castle in the [[Camargue]] following these raids up the Rhône may have induced raiders to try points further east, culminating in the establishment of a permanent base of operations at Fraxinetum.<ref>{{cite book |author-link=Archibald R. Lewis |first=Archibald R. |last=Lewis |title=Development of Southern French and Catalan Society, 718–1050 |publisher=University of Texas Press |year=1965 |page=102}}</ref> In 887, Muslim forces from [[Al-Andalus]] conquered several bases in France and established the emirate of [[Fraxinet]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Belich |first=James |date=2022 |title=The World the Plague Made: The Black Death and the Rise of Europe |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=9780691222875 |page=22}}</ref> They were eventually defeated and expelled in 975.<ref>Manfred, W: "International Journal of Middle East Studies", pages 59–79, Vol. 12, No. 1. Middle East Studies Association of North America, 1980.</ref>

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Below is a table of the population of Maghrebi origin in France, numbers are in thousands{{needs update|date=April 2024}}:

{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" style="text-align:center; font-size: 70%"

! Country

| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Country'''

! 1999

| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''1999'''

! 2005

| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''2005'''

! % 1999/2005

| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''% 1999/2005'''

|! align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''% French population (60.7&nbsp;million in 2005)'''

|-

| '''Algeria'''||'''1,577'''||'''1,865'''||'''+18.3%'''||'''3.1%'''

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In November 2019, French authorities closed cafés, schools, and mosques in about 15 neighborhoods due to them disseminating [[political Islam]] and [[Communitarianism|communitarian]] ideas.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2019-11-15 |title=Islamisme politique: écoles et lieux de culte fermés dans une quinzaine de quartiers |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/islamisme-politique-ecoles-et-lieux-de-culte-fermes-dans-une-quinzaine-de-quartiers-20191115 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191125075801/https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/islamisme-politique-ecoles-et-lieux-de-culte-fermes-dans-une-quinzaine-de-quartiers-20191115 |archive-date=2019-11-25 |access-date=2019-11-25 |website=Le Figaro.fr |language=fr}}</ref>

In October 2020, President [[Emmanuel Macron]] announced a crackdown on "Islamist separatism" in Muslim communities in France, saying a bill with this objective would be sent to parliament in "early 2021." Among the measures, would be a ban on foreign [[imam]]s, restrictions on [[home schooling|homeschooling]], and the creation of an "Institute of Islamology" to tackle [[Islamic fundamentalism]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-france-macron-separatism/macron-launches-crackdown-on-islamist-separatism-in-muslim-communities-idUKKBN26N20W?il=0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003082312/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-france-macron-separatism/macron-launches-crackdown-on-islamist-separatism-in-muslim-communities-idUKKBN26N20W?il=0 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 3, 2020 |title=Macron launches crackdown on 'Islamist separatism' in Muslim communities |website=Reuters |date=2 October 2020 }}</ref> His government introduced a bill that would punish with jail terms and fine any doctor who provides [[virginity]] certificates for traditional, religious marriages. [[ANCIC (organization)|ANCIC]] stated it supported the government's stand against "virginity tests" but warned that in some cases women were in "real danger" and "a ban would simply deny the existence of such community practices, without making them disappear". The association suggested that the issue be "tackled quite differently so that women and men free themselves and reject the weight of [such] traditions."<ref name=tests>{{cite news |date=5 October 2020 |title=France plans punishment for virginity tests|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54434080 |work=[[BBC]] | access-date=5 October 2020}}</ref> On 16 February 2021, the law passed the lower house 347—151 with 65 abstentions.<ref>{{cite news |title=French MPs approve bill to combat Islamist extremism |url=https://www.france24.com/en/france/20210216-french-mps-approve-bill-to-combat-islamist-extremism |access-date=17 February 2021 |work=France 24 |date=16 February 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Terrorist attacks in France ===

{{Main||Islamic terrorism in Europe}}

{{Excerpt|Islamic terrorism|France}}

=== Women imams ===

{{Undue weight|section|The number of female imams is not put into perspective with the total number of imams in France|date=November 2020}}

In 2019 [[Kahina Bahloul]], [[Eva Janadin]] and [[Anne-Sophie Monsinay]] became the first female imams to lead Muslim prayers in France.<ref>🖉{{Cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/french-women-seek-to-break-ground-with-mosques-of-their-own|title=French women seek to break ground with mosques of their own|date=September 18, 2019|website=The Straits Times|access-date=September 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926165750/https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/french-women-seek-to-break-ground-with-mosques-of-their-own|archive-date=September 26, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Clarify|reason=2 female imams, compared to how many imams in total? Provide context.|date=November 2019}}

=== Law against Islamist extremism ===

{{See also|Murder of Samuel Paty}}

{{#section-h:Murder of Samuel Paty|Law against Islamist extremism}}

=== Investigation on the Influence of Political Islam ===

In May 2024, the French government initiated an investigation aimed at assessing the influence of political Islam and the Muslim Brotherhood in France. The government delegated this task to two senior officials, diplomat François Gouyette and prefect Pascal Courtade. Their work is anticipated to yield a comprehensive report by the fall of 2024. According to a statement from the Ministry of Interior, this effort is in direct alignment with the context of the Les Mureaux (Yvelines) speech on separatism delivered by Emmanuel Macron in 2020, which later led to the 2021 law on the principles and values of the Republic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Le gouvernement demande un rapport sur l’influence de l’islam politique en France |url=https://www.20minutes.fr/politique/4089833-20240506-gouvernement-demande-rapport-influence-islam-politique-france |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=20 Minutes |language=fr}}</ref>

==Integration==

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===Accepted French citizens===

NotwithsandingNotwithstanding the islamist extremists' terrorist attacks in France, including the Charlie Hebdo and Nice terror attacks, some studies have concluded that France is the European country where Muslims integrate the best and feel the most for their country and that French Muslims have the most positive opinions about their fellow citizens of different faiths. A 2006 study from the [[Pew Research Center]] on Integration is one such study.<ref name=allen>{{cite web |url=http://pewresearch.org/pubs/50/the-french-muslim-connection |first=Jodie T. |last=Allen |authorlink=Jodie T. Allen |date=August 17, 2006 |title=The French-Muslim Connection |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615005418/http://pewresearch.org/pubs/50/the-french-muslim-connection |archive-date=2010-06-15 }}</ref> In Paris and the surrounding [[Île-de-France]] region where French Muslims tend to be more educated and religious, the vast majority rejects violence and say they are loyal to France according to studies by Euro-Islam, a comparative research network on Islam and Muslims in the West sponsored by GSRL Paris/[[Centre national de la recherche scientifique|CNRS France]] and Harvard University.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.euro-islam.info/country-profiles/city-profiles/paris/ |title=Islam in Paris – Euro-Islam: News and Analysis on Islam in Europe and North America |access-date=2015-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109123424/http://www.euro-islam.info/country-profiles/city-profiles/paris/ |archive-date=2015-01-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.juancole.com/2015/01/sharpening-contradictions-satirists.html |title=Sharpening Contradictions: Why al-Qaeda attacked Satirists in Paris |date=7 January 2015 |access-date=2015-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109123623/http://www.juancole.com/2015/01/sharpening-contradictions-satirists.html |archive-date=2015-01-09 |url-status=live }}</ref> On the other hand, a 2013 [[IPSOS]] survey published by the French daily ''[[Le Monde]]'', indicated that only 26% of French respondents believed that Islam was compatible with French society (compared to 89% identifying Catholicism as compatible and 75% identifying Judaism as compatible).<ref>[http://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2013/01/24/la-religion-musulmane-fait-l-objet-d-un-profond-rejet-de-la-part-des-francais_1821698_3224.html?xtmc=ipsos&xtcr=4 Le Monde (''in French''): "La religion musulmane fait l'objet d'un profond rejet de la part des Français"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417183344/http://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2013/01/24/la-religion-musulmane-fait-l-objet-d-un-profond-rejet-de-la-part-des-francais_1821698_3224.html?xtmc=ipsos&xtcr=4 |date=2014-04-17 }} 24 Jan 2013</ref><ref>[http://www.ejpress.org/article/64681 European Jewish Press: "Majority of French consider Islam incompatible with French values"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131130957/http://www.ejpress.org/article/64681 |date=2013-01-31 }} 27 Jan 2013</ref> A 2014 survey by the Pew Research Center showed that out of all Europeans, the French view Muslim minorities most favorably with 72% having a favorable opinion.<ref name="jr.org">{{cite news | url=http://journalistsresource.org/studies/international/conflicts/france-muslims-terrorism-and-challenges-of-integration-research-roundup | title=France, Islam, terrorism and the challenges of integration: Research roundup | access-date=2015-10-30 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026195633/http://journalistsresource.org/studies/international/conflicts/france-muslims-terrorism-and-challenges-of-integration-research-roundup | archive-date=2015-10-26 | url-status=dead }} JournalistsResource.org, retrieved Jan. 12, 2015.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pewglobal.org/2014/05/12/chapter-4-views-of-roma-muslims-jews/#mixed-views-of-muslim-minorities |title=EU Views of Roma, Muslims, Jews |date=12 May 2014 |access-date=2015-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109114144/http://www.pewglobal.org/2014/05/12/chapter-4-views-of-roma-muslims-jews/#mixed-views-of-muslim-minorities |archive-date=2015-01-09 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Niall McCarthy, [https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2015/01/08/out-of-all-europeans-the-french-view-muslim-minorities-most-favorably-infographic/?linkId=11618733 ''Out of All Europeans, The French View Muslim Minorities Most Favorably &#91;Infographic&#93;''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718175234/https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2015/01/08/out-of-all-europeans-the-french-view-muslim-minorities-most-favorably-infographic/?linkId=11618733 |date=2018-07-18 }} Forbes Jan 8, 2015</ref> Other research has shown how these positive attitudes are not always reflected in popular opinion and the subject of Muslim integration in France is much more nuanced and complex.<ref name=":2" />

In April 2018 an Algerian Muslim woman refused to shake hands with an official for religious reasons at a citizenship ceremony. As an applicant must demonstrate being integrated into society as well as respect for French values, officials considered her not integrated and denied her citizenship application.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thelocal.fr/20180419/woman-denied-french-nationality-after-refusing-to-shake-officials-hands|title=Woman denied French citizenship for 'refusing to shake official's hand'|date=2018-04-19|access-date=2018-04-21|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419192738/https://www.thelocal.fr/20180419/woman-denied-french-nationality-after-refusing-to-shake-officials-hands|archive-date=2018-04-19|url-status=live}}</ref>

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=== Religiosity ===

According to a poll by [[Institut français d'opinion publique]] in 2020, 46% of Muslims gave the view that their religious beliefs were more important than the values and laws of the French Republic, more than twice the fraction of the French public (17%). Among Muslims under 25 years of age a large majority (74%) considered their religion more important than French laws and values.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Droit au blasphème, caricatures, liberté d'expression… Les Français sont ils encore " Charlie " ?|url=https://www.ifop.com/publication/droit-au-blaspheme-caricatures-liberte-dexpression-les-francais-sont-ils-encore-charlie/|access-date=2020-09-06|website=IFOP|language=fr-FR}}</ref>

A report from 2024, stated that the French Institute of Statistics reports that 76 percent of Muslims believe that religion is very important and involves every aspect of life.<ref>{{Cite web |title=France, immigration strengthens Muslim presence |url=https://newdailycompass.com/en/france-immigration-strengthens-muslim-presence |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=newdailycompass.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== LGBT acceptance ===

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On 29 June 2017, a man who had schizophrenia attempted to ram his vehicle into a crowd of worshipers exiting a mosque in [[Créteil]],<ref>{{cite web|work=Agence France|title=8 wounded in France mosque shooting, not terrorism—prosecutor|date=3 July 2017|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/910481/8-wounded-in-france-mosque-shooting-not-terrorism-prosecutor|access-date=2018-04-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428093749/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/910481/8-wounded-in-france-mosque-shooting-not-terrorism-prosecutor|archive-date=2018-04-28|url-status=live}}</ref> a suburb of Paris, though no one was injured. Le Parisien claims the suspect, of [[Armenians|Armenian]] origin, wanted to "avenge the Bataclan and Champs-Elysées" attacks.<ref>Tom Batchelor. [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/paris-mosque-incident-attack-car-muslims-cr-teil-man-arrested-police-a7815641.html Paris mosque incident: Man tries to ram car into crowd of Muslim worshippers, police say] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822174247/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/paris-mosque-incident-attack-car-muslims-cr-teil-man-arrested-police-a7815641.html |date=2017-08-22 }}. Independent. 29 June 2017.</ref>

In 2019, The French Institute for Public Research (IFOP) conducted the study from August 29 to September 18, based on a sample of 1007 Muslims aged 15 and above.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/11/286313/france-muslim-population-discrimination/|title=Nearly Half of France's Muslim Population Experience Discrimination|last=Guessous|first=Hamza|date=2019-11-07|website=Morocco World News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111032605/https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/11/286313/france-muslim-population-discrimination/|archive-date=2019-11-11|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the study, 40% of Muslims in France felt that they were discriminated against.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2019/11/10/world/europe/10reuters-france-religion.html|title=Thousands March in Paris Against Islamophobia After Attackagency=Reuters|date=2019-11-10|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-11-11|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111023753/https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2019/11/10/world/europe/10reuters-france-religion.html|archive-date=2019-11-11|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/europe/thousands-protest-islamophobia-france|title=Thousands Protest Islamophobia in France|website=Voice of America|date=10 November 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-11-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111012307/https://www.voanews.com/europe/thousands-protest-islamophobia-france|archive-date=2019-11-11|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://euobserver.com/tickers/146535|title=[Ticker] 42% of French Muslims experienced discrimination|website=EUobserver|language=en|access-date=2019-11-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111032604/https://euobserver.com/tickers/146535|archive-date=2019-11-11|url-status=live}}</ref> More than a third of these instances were recorded in the past five years, suggesting an increase in the overall mistreatment of Muslims in France over recent years.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|url=https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2019/11/8/nearly-50-percent-of-french-muslims-have-experienced-discrimination|title=Nearly half of French Muslims report being discriminated against based on their religionwork=The New Arab|date = 8 November 2019|language=en|access-date=2019-11-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111022855/https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2019/11/8/nearly-50-percent-of-french-muslims-have-experienced-discrimination|archive-date=2019-11-11|url-status=live}}</ref> The survey found that 60% of women wearing a headscarf were subject to discrimination.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/11/286544/muslims-france-islamophobia/|title=Muslims, Activists in France Want to March Against Islamophobia|last=Kasraoui|first=Safaa|date=2019-11-10|website=Morocco World News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111032612/https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/11/286544/muslims-france-islamophobia/|archive-date=2019-11-11|url-status=live}}</ref> 37% of Muslims in France have been a victim of verbal harassment or defamatory insults.<ref name=":02" /> The study, however, revealed that 44% of Muslim women who do not wear headscarves found themselves being a victim of verbal harassment or defamatory insults.<ref name=":02" /> The survey found that 13% of incidents of religious discrimination happened at police control points and 17% happened at job interviews.<ref name=":02" /> 14% of incidents occurred while the victims were looking to rent or buy accommodation.<ref name=":02" /> The IFOP stated that 24% of Muslims were exposed to verbal aggression during their lifetime, compared to 9% among non-Muslims.<ref name=":02" /> In addition, 7% of Muslims were physically attacked, compared to 3% of non-Muslims.<ref name=":12" />

In 2019, according to the French Ministry of Interior, 154 anti-religious acts targeted Muslims, while those targeting Jews stood at 687, and those against Christians was 1,052. Most of these acts consisted of vandalism of "property of a religious nature."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Archives/Archives-ministres-de-l-Interieur/Archives-Laurent-Nunez/Communiques/Statistiques-2019-des-actes-antireligieux-antisemites-racistes-et-xenophobes|title = Statistiques 2019 des actes antireligieux, antisémites, racistes et xénophobes}}</ref>

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In September 1994, a third ministerial circular (''circulaire Bayrou'') was published, making a distinction between "discreet" [[symbol]]s to be tolerated in public schools, and "ostentatious" symbols, including the Islamic headscarf, to be banned from public schools. In October, some students demonstrated at the ''lycée Saint Exupéry'' in [[Mantes-la-Jolie]] (northwest of Paris) to support the freedom to wear Islamic headscarves in school. In November, approximately twenty-four veiled schoolgirls were expelled from the ''lycée Saint Exupéry'' in Mantes-la-Jolie and the ''lycée Faidherbe'' in [[Lille]].

In December 2003, President Chirac decided that the law should prohibit the wearing of visible religious signs in schools, according to ''[[laïcité]]'' requirements. The law was approved by parliament in March 2004. Items prohibited by this law include hijabs, Jewish [[yarmulke]]s, or large Christian [[cross]]es.<ref name="georgetown1">{{cite web|url=http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/resources/countries/france |title=France |publisher=[[Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs]] |access-date=2011-12-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110206213909/http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/resources/countries/france |archive-date=2011-02-06 }} See drop-down essay on "Contemporary Affairs"</ref> It is still permissible to wear discreet symbols of [[faith]] such as small crosses, [[Star of David|Stars of David]], or [[Fatima's hand]]s.

Two French journalists working in Iraq, Christian Chesnot and Georges Malbrunot were taken hostage by the "Islamic Army in Iraq" (an Iraqi resistance militant movement) under accusations of spying. Threats to kill the two journalists if the law on headscarves was not revoked were published on the Internet by groups claiming to be the "Islamic Army in Iraq". The two journalists were later released unharmed.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID%3D17781%26URL_DO%3DDO_TOPIC%26URL_SECTION%3D201.html |title=UNESCO Welcomes Release of French Journalists Christian Chesnot and Georges Malbrunot |access-date=2019-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824042409/http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID%3D17781%26URL_DO%3DDO_TOPIC%26URL_SECTION%3D201.html |archive-date=2016-08-24 |url-status=live }}</ref>

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A Muslim group spokesman expressed serious concern over the proposed legislation, noting that "even if they ban the burqa, it will not stop there," adding that "there is a permanent demand for legislating against Muslims. This could go really bad, and I'm scared of it. I feel like they're turning the screws on us."<ref name="nytimes.com"/>

On 25 January 2010 it was announced that the parliamentary committee, having concluded its study, would recommend that a ban on veils covering the face in public locations such as hospitals and schools be enacted, but not in private buildings or on the street.<ref>{{Cite web | url=httphttps://www.nbcnews.com/id/35064478wbna35064478 | title=French panel: Ban veils in public facilities| website=[[NBC News]]| date=2010-01-26}}</ref>

In February 2019, Decathlon, Europe's largest sports retailer, announced plans to begin selling a [[sports hijab]] in their stores in France. Decathlon had begun selling the product in Morocco the previous week, but the plan was criticized on social media, with several politicians expressing discomfort with the product being sold. Decathlon originally stood firm, arguing it was focused on "democratizing" sports. The company released a statement saying its goal was to "offer them a suitable sports product, without judging." While Nike had already sold hijabs in France, Decathlon was met with much more scrutiny. Multiple salespeople were threatened physically in stores. The company also received hundreds of calls and emails in regard to the product. Decathlon was forced to backtrack and has since halted its plans to sell the sports hijab. Many throughout France were left disappointed with one Muslim entrepreneur, who didn't consider selling sport hijabs, stating, "it's a shame that Decathlon didn't stand firm."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/28/world/europe/france-sports-hijab-decathlon.html|title=A Sports Hijab Has France Debating the Muslim Veil, Again|last1=Peltier|first1=Elian|date=2019-02-28|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-11-11|last2=Breeden|first2=Aurelien|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111021441/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/28/world/europe/france-sports-hijab-decathlon.html|archive-date=2019-11-11|url-status=live}}</ref>

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===Estimations based on declaration===

Surveys from INED and the INSEE in October 2010 concluded that France has 2.1&nbsp;million "declared Muslims".<ref name="plus.lefigaro.fr">Michael Cosgrove, [http://plus.lefigaro.fr/note/how-does-france-count-its-muslim-population-20110407-435643 ''How does France count its Muslim population?''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010074044/http://plus.lefigaro.fr/note/how-does-france-count-its-muslim-population-20110407-435643 |date=2017-10-10 }}, [[Le Figaro]], April 2011.</ref> In 1960, there was approximately 400,000 Muslims in France, corresponding to 0.9% of the population at the time.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Waughray |first=Vernon |date=1960 |title=The French Racial Scene: North African Immigrants in France |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/030639686000200105 |journal=Race |language=en |volume=2 |issue=1 |pages=60–70 |doi=10.1177/030639686000200105 |issn=0033-7277}}</ref>

In 2023, Muslims made up 10% of the French adult population, according to INSEE.<ref name="insee.fr"/>

===Estimations based on people's geographic origin===

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A [[Pew Forum]] study, published in January 2011, estimated 4.7&nbsp;million Muslims in France in 2010 (and forecasted 6.9&nbsp;million in 2030).<ref name="Pew2011">{{Cite web |url=http://www.pewforum.org/The-Future-of-the-Global-Muslim-Population.aspx |title=The Future of the Global Muslim Population |date=27 January 2011 |access-date=2011-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723032443/http://www.pewforum.org/The-Future-of-the-Global-Muslim-Population.aspx |archive-date=2013-07-23 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The French polling company [[IFOP]] estimated in 2016 that French Muslims number between 3 and 4 million and criticized suggestions of a significant demographic religious slide (The so-called [[:fr:grand remplacement|Grand Remplacement]] in French politics). IFOP claims that they make up 5.6% of those older than 15, and 10% of those younger than 25.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lejdd.fr/Societe/Religion/Religion-famille-societe-qui-sont-vraiment-les-musulmans-de-France-810217 |title=Religion, famille, société : Qui sont vraiment les musulmans de France |access-date=2016-09-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919133551/http://www.lejdd.fr/Societe/Religion/Religion-famille-societe-qui-sont-vraiment-les-musulmans-de-France-810217 |archive-date=2016-09-19 |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to an IFOP survey for the newspaper ''La Croix'' in 2011, based on a combination of previous surveys, 75% of people from families ''"of Muslim origin"'' {{sic}} said they were believers. This is more than the previous study in 2007 (71%) but less than the one before 2001 (78%). This variation, caused by the declarative aspect of the survey, illustrates the difficulty of establishing precisely the number of believers.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2015-01-21|title=Quel est le poids de l'islam en France ?|language=fr|work=Le Monde.fr|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2015/01/21/que-pese-l-islam-en-france_4559859_4355770.html|access-date=2020-08-27}}</ref>

According to the same survey 155 of those surveyed who had at-least one Muslim parent 84.8% identified as Muslims, 3.4% identified as Christians, 10.0% identified as [[not religious]] and 1.3% belonged to other religions.<ref name="2016Montaigne-IFOP">{{cite web|url=http://www.institutmontaigne.org/res/files/publications/a-french-islam-is-possible-report.pdf|title=A French Islam is possible|date=2016|publisher=Institut Montaigne|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915201551/http://www.institutmontaigne.org/res/files/publications/a-french-islam-is-possible-report.pdf|archive-date=15 September 2017|page=13}}</ref>

According to a 2023 report, the INED-[[INSEE]] surveys have stated, 91 percent of those who grew up in Muslim families claim the religion of their parents.<ref>{{Cite web |title=France, immigration strengthens Muslim presence |url=https://newdailycompass.com/en/france-immigration-strengthens-muslim-presence |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=newdailycompass.com |language=en}}</ref>

An [[Interior ministry]] source in ''l'Islam dans la République'' published the following estimated distribution of Muslims by Alain Boyer by affiliated countries in 1999:<ref>[http://www.ladocumentationfrancaise.fr/rapports-publics/014000017/index.shtml L'Islam dans la République – La Documentation française] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130228010738/http://www.ladocumentationfrancaise.fr/rapports-publics/014000017/index.shtml |date=2013-02-28 }}, Haut conseil à l'intégration, 2000, p.26</ref>

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According to the latest Special Eurobarometer 493 (2019) the Muslim population in France is estimated to be 5% or 3.35 million.<ref name="ec.europa.eu">{{Cite web |title=Eurobarometer |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion/index.cfm/Survey/getSurveyDetail/instruments/SPECIAL/surveyKy/2251}}</ref>

[[Pew Research Center]] predicts the Muslim population would rise to 8.6&nbsp;million or 12.7 percent of the country in 2050 ifwith zero immigration, wouldand be13.2&nbsp;million or 18.0 percent with high immigration.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thelocal.fr/20171201/how-frances-muslim-population-will-grow-in-the-future|first=Evie|last=Burrows-Taylor|title=How France's Muslim population will grow in the future|date=1 December 2017|website=www.thelocal.fr|access-date=30 October 2020}}</ref>

=== Muslim–Jew Relations ===

===Antisemitism===

{{Further|Antisemitism in France|Antisemitism in Islam}}

A survey by the [[Pew Research Center]] in 2006 in Germany, France, Great Britain and Spain showed that 71% of French Muslims had a positive view of their fellow Jewish citizens, the highest percentage of positive sentiment, the only majority expressed positively among all the European Muslims polled in Europe and a French exception. A majority of Muslims in France also did not support the [[Hamas]] (46% negative vs. 44% positive answers to the question: "Is Hamas' victory good for Palestinians?") and 71% of respondents did not approve of [[Iran]] acquiring [[nuclear weapons]]. This Muslim-Jewish solidarity in France can be partially explained by the fact that a high percentage of both populations share origins in the [[Maghreb]] and the effects of French ''laĩcité'' on ''vivre-ensemble'' (i.e "living-together") in shared civil institutional spaces remaining religiously and politically neutral for all.<ref name=allen/>

==French Muslims==

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===Academics and writers===

* [[Yasmine Belkaid]], immunologist, current president of the [[Pasteur Institute]]

* [[Ghaleb Bencheikh]], scientist

* [[Jean-Louis Michon]], writer and translator

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[[Category:Islam in France| ]]

[[Category:Islam by country|France]]