Murder of a worshipper in a mosque in southern France

According to Morocco World News, the victim was a 23-year-old man from Mali, a regular worshipper at the Khadidja Mosque. He was reportedly cleaning the mosque before the attack occurred. His body was discovered around 11:30 a.m. when other worshippers arrived for Friday prayers. The victim suffered 40 to 50 stab wounds, with the full extent of injuries to be confirmed by an autopsy.

The assailant, who was alone with the victim in the mosque at approximately 8:30 a.m., stabbed the victim multiple times. The attacker fled the scene before the body was discovered.

The suspect is described as a man of Bosnian origin and non-Muslim, according to some reports. He remains unidentified and at large, with French police actively searching for him. The suspect reportedly filmed the attack on his mobile phone, capturing the victim in his final moments and making derogatory remarks. These recordings, along with photos taken post-attack, suggest premeditation and a possible Islamophobic motive.

Several sources indicate that the attack may have been motivated by Islamophobic sentiments. The suspect’s insults against Islam and Allah, as well as the filming of the act, point to a targeted hate crime.

The public prosecutor has opened an investigation to determine the circumstances and motive of the attack. The suspect’s calm entry into the mosque, prior interaction with the victim, and the filming suggest premeditation, though the exact motive remains unclear pending further investigation.

La Grande-Combe is a former mining town with approximately 5,000 residents and a high unemployment rate since the decline of coal mining. The town’s socioeconomic challenges have been noted in reports, though no direct link to the crime has been established.

French police are conducting a manhunt for the suspect, who has not been identified or apprehended. The prosecutor expressed hope that the investigation would swiftly identify the perpetrator and clarify the circumstances of the crime.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau called for a thorough investigation to apprehend the suspect and expressed solidarity with the Muslim community, emphasizing the brutality of the act in a place of worship on a Friday, a significant day for communal prayers.

The Grand Mosque of Paris issued a statement expressing deep sorrow and condemning the "heinous and deeply painful act" committed in a sacred space. They urged authorities to take decisive action to address the crime, uncover its causes, and apprehend the perpetrator. The mosque also extended condolences to the victim’s family.