Arabic version: محكمة فرنسية تسمح بإقامة تجمع كبير للمسلمين

A French court has overturned a government decision to ban a significant gathering of Muslims in northern Paris, allowing the event to proceed as planned. The Paris police department had expressed concerns that the four-day Annual Encounter of Muslims of France could be a target for terrorism, citing potential security risks.

According to BBC News, the Muslims of France (MF) association sought an emergency injunction to challenge the ban, arguing it infringed on fundamental liberties. The administrative court agreed, ruling just two hours before the scheduled opening that police evidence did not sufficiently demonstrate a risk of counter-demonstrations or threats from far-right groups.

The court also dismissed claims that the gathering would overburden police resources, noting that the organizers had committed to enhancing security measures themselves. This event, which combines cultural, religious, and trade fair elements, has not been held since 2019 but has historically attracted tens of thousands of attendees from across Europe.

The Paris police had justified the ban by referencing a tense national and international climate, suggesting that small far-right groups might seek to disrupt the gathering. They also expressed concerns about potential remote provocations from foreign influences, specifically naming Russia and Iran as sources of dissent.

The ban coincided with the French government’s announcement of a new “anti-separatism” law, aimed at regulating Muslim organizations deemed contrary to the Republic’s principles. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated that the law aims to enhance previous measures, particularly in controlling collective childcare and banning publications that promote hate or discrimination. The MF’s legal representative argued that the ban was a clear violation of the right to assemble and was intended to support the government’s new law.