A major Muslim gathering in northern Paris is going ahead after a French court overturned a government attempt to ban it.
Authorities had argued that the four-day Annual Encounter of Muslims of France posed a security risk, warning it could be a target for terrorism. But organisers—the Muslims of France (MF) association—challenged the decree, saying it violated basic liberties. Just two hours before the scheduled 14:00 (13:00 BST) opening, the administrative court sided with them.
In its ruling, the court said police had failed to prove the risk of counter-demonstrations or far-right attacks, and dismissed claims that the event would overstretch police resources. It noted that organisers had already arranged extra security.
Part cultural and religious conference, part trade fair, the gathering was once a fixture of France’s Muslim community, regularly drawing tens of thousands from across Europe before its pause in 2019.
Critics have long accused MF of ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, though the group denies this.
Earlier, police had justified the ban by citing “an international and national context which is particularly tense,” warning of terrorist risks and possible disruption by far-right groups or foreign influences. France has previously accused Russia and Iran of stirring unrest through small-scale provocations.
The ban also came as France unveiled plans for a new “anti-separatism” law, aimed at Muslim organisations accused of promoting ideas contrary to republican values. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the law would build on existing powers, allowing closures of associations and bans on publications deemed to incite hate or discrimination.
MF’s lawyer, Sefen Guez Guez, told the court that banning the event was a “manifest breach of the right to assemble” and politically motivated to promote the new law. Police lawyers countered that the sole aim was to preserve public order, insisting: “This is not an anti-Muslim or anti-Islam decree.”
