Dead bird found at mosque

A dead bird was discovered at the entrance of a mosque in Lodève, Hérault, along with red writing that suggested Muslims no longer had a place in France. The message was found by worshippers on Tuesday, October 27, when they arrived for prayers.

Inflammatory messages included

The red text included the words "Islam dehors," which translates to "Islam out," and the phrase "the suitcase or the coffin," implying a choice between leaving the country or facing death. These messages were seen as highly offensive and targeted toward the Muslim community.

Recent racist violence adds context

The incident occurred in a national climate heightened by a recent racist attack in Trappes and La Verrière, Yvelines, where Pengo Bossio Wangi, a 26-year-old Frenchman of Congolese descent, was killed. The Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, stated that the attacker was motivated by hate and racism.

Local officials condemn the act

In Lodève, local officials reacted swiftly. Sébastien Rome, a former LFI deputy and opposition councilor, condemned the message, stating that the city was not immune to hate. He called for unity and emphasized that everyone in France should be free to practice their faith.

Community gathers in solidarity

Approximately 200 people gathered on Wednesday, October 28, at 5 p.m., near the mosque on the quai de la Mégisserie, to show support for the Muslim community and to stand against hate. The event aimed to send a clear message against intolerance.

Muslim leaders demand protection

The French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) issued a statement condemning the act, calling it an explicit threat against individuals based on their religion. The organization warned that the normalization of hate speech increases the risk of violence and urged authorities to protect places of worship, emphasizing that Muslims are fully at home in France.