France ban French Muslim gathering, citing security risk

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PARIS: French authorities have issued a formal ban on the 40th Annual Meeting of Muslims of France (RAMF), citing ‘serious risks to public order.’ The event, which was expected to draw thousands of participants to the Seine-Saint-Denis district north of the capital, was scheduled to begin this weekend at the Paris–Le Bourget Exhibition Centre.

The prohibition was formalized by Paris Police Chief Patrice Faure following a direct request from the Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nuñez. Faure explained that the assembly posed a ‘major terrorist risk’ and threatened public stability. He noted that the decision was heavily influenced by a "particularly tense" international climate and a recent foiled bombing attempt in Paris.

In a statement released on Thursday, the local prefecture further explained that the potential for counter-protests by ‘small far-right groups’ created an unmanageable security environment. Officials emphasized that the scale of the RAMF would require a massive mobilization of law enforcement resources that are already stretched thin due to ongoing regional tensions.

While the RAMF has been a significant communal tradition for four decades, the government maintained that the current risk level made the assembly impossible to secure. Organizers, led by Makhlouf Mameche, argued that the gathering was intended to be a peaceful religious assembly. Expressing deep disappointment, they have confirmed they will challenge the order in court.