Chems-Eddine Hafiz, rector of the Great Mosque of Paris, gave an interview to France 24. He spoke a few days after a surprising political event in France: the

National Rally, which was favored in the polls, ultimately finished in third place in the legislative elections. "Like many French people, I can say phew," he reacted. But, "we are on borrowed time," warned the imam, reminding that 10.1 million French people voted for the far-right party. In our society, furthermore, "anti-Semitism is a real scourge," Chems-Eddine Hafiz also lamented.

Anti-Semitism is "not at all" a residual problem in France, according to the rector of the Great Mosque of Paris, who was speaking from the France 24 studio.

For those who are targeted for what they are—Jewish, Muslim, atheist, or otherwise—"I want to stand by their side to defend them," he added.

"But we must continue to work," warned the Franco-Algerian lawyer: it must not happen that part of the national community pushes [Muslims] outside.

"I Fear for My Children"

In response to the far-right's victory in the European elections, French President Emmanuel Macron decided to dissolve the National Assembly on July 9. Since then, "racist speech has been completely unleashed," Chems-Eddine Hafiz warned.

"I fear for my children, for those who are ten or twelve years old today, who are French [and Muslim, editor's note], who feel a French soul," and to whom it is suggested "that they need to go elsewhere," the imam confided.

For him, Muslims are "part of the French social contract." "And I want us to sign (this social contract) with both hands," insisted the rector. Photo by Quinn Dombrowski from Berkeley, USA, Wikimedia commons.