The facade of a Turkish mosque in Metz was slightly damaged overnight from Thursday to Friday by incendiary bottles of the Molotov cocktail type, causing a stir in the Lorraine city where a rally is scheduled for Saturday at midday.

“I condemn this act of Islamophobia in the strongest terms,” reacted on Twitter the mayor of Metz, LR François Grosdidier, calling “for a rally of support” Saturday at noon in the city center.

1/3 🔥☪️ Three incendiary bottles last night against the Center Merkez Camil mosque, rue du General Metmann in #Metz.



🤝 This morning, I went there with the leaders of the association to express my solidarity...

— François GROSDIDIER (@GrosdidierMetz) May 6, 2022


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An investigation was entrusted to the departmental security, indicated the public prosecutor of Metz, Yves Badorc, adding that, "at this stage (...), no lead is privileged".

The damage was noted on Friday "around 5:30 a.m. by the faithful who came to the (Friday) morning prayer", said AFP Ridvan Kilinc, the secretary of the association which manages the worship and cultural center which houses the Merkez mosque. Camii, from the DITIB federation, a Turkish community organization.

A complaint has been filed, he said.

“It is an extremely serious fact”

“This is the first time that we have had an attack on a place of worship in Metz (…) We had never moved on to this desire to destroy.

This is an extremely serious fact, ”said the city councilor on France Bleu Lorraine Nord.

Three incendiary bottles of the "Molotov cocktail" type had been placed in front of the facade but only two were lit, according to Ridvan Kilinc, who added that the center had "never" been the subject of such an attack.

The flames have slightly blackened the facade in places, said Ridvan Kilinc.

According to him, a bottle had been installed near an electrical system with, obviously, the intention of damaging it.

The perpetrator(s) also obviously tried, in vain, to throw a Molotov cocktail into the mosque to set the interior on fire, he said, adding that the two imams of the mosque "are staying above" the mosque. religious building.

"Everyone is amazed," added Ridvan Kilinc, calling for "union", "the key word of the demonstration" Saturday in Metz.

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  • Islamophobia

  • Metz

  • Molotov cocktail

  • Mosque

  • Strasbourg

  • Great East

  • Lorraine