Images of Muslim travelers collectively praying at a major French airport have ignited controversy within France. The government, in response, has pledged to act with determination, while the airport operator has labeled the incident as regrettable. Images, which quickly spread via social media on Sunday, depict a group of several dozen travelers praying together in the departures hall of Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris just before their flight to Jordan.
The controversy surrounding these images coincides with increased tensions in France due to the conflict between the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel. France is home to substantial Muslim and Jewish communities. Transport Minister Clement Beaune, through X (formerly known as Twitter), stated that airport authorities were fully committed to enforcing the rules and promised to be resolute.
The prayer session took place in terminal 2B of France’s largest airport, with approximately 30 participants and lasting around 10 minutes, according to an unnamed airport source cited by AFP. The airport already provides designated closed areas for individuals of all faiths to have private prayer.
France’s secularism is strict, and there are regulations governing the display of religious symbols and practices in public spaces, including schools and public facilities like airports. Augustin de Romanet, the CEO of airport operator Aeroports de Paris (ADP), referred to the incident as a “regrettable first.” He emphasized the existence of dedicated places of worship and noted that border police had been instructed to prohibit such gatherings and would increase their vigilance. De Romanet also cautioned against exaggerating the incident “at this time,” alluding to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Notably, the image was shared on social media by Noelle Lenoir, a former European Affairs Minister during the tenure of right-wing President Jacques Chirac.
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