Paris (AFP)
The Interior Ministry has asked its services to ensure that gatherings in stadiums or communal rooms are not allowed for the end of Ramadan prayer on May 13, due to the health context.
In 2020, some municipalities, especially in Ile-de-France, had authorized Muslims to gather in stadiums, in the open air, for the prayer of Eid al-Fitr, the "feast of the breaking of the fast".
"The provision of establishments open to the public could not be considered", a measure "which concerns all sports establishments, whether they are indoor or outdoor", indicates an instruction note from a prefect sent to the town halls of his department, of which AFP has obtained a copy.
"I can understand that there is a desire not to encourage gatherings", reacted Mohammed Moussaoui, the president of the French Council of the Muslim religion to AFP after having, last week called the mosques "to come closer. of their municipalities in order to be able to celebrate the Eid prayer in open spaces ".
Mr. Moussaoui invited the mosques large enough to respect the sanitary instructions to multiply the services during the day of Thursday.
The fasting month of Ramadan began on April 13 and is scheduled to end on May 13.
© 2021 AFP