France’s Aboubakar Cissé murder case: Islamophobia and the failings of a political class

The murder of a Muslim faithful in a mosque in the Gard has revived the debate about whether or not a state Islamophobia exists, an accusation that does not stand up to the facts.

On May 21, 2025, our BMFTV colleagues revealed the digital exchanges of Olivier H. shortly before the murder of Abubacar Cissé at the mosque of the Grand Combe. Icy, violent exchanges that left...

France’s Aboubakar Cissé murder case: Islamophobia and the failings of a political class

The murder of Aboubakar Cissé is symptomatic of a climate of Islamophobia that reigns in France. As the verbal and physical violence ratchet up, the media and politicians respond with far-right talking points.