Europe 1 with AFP 6:20 a.m., February 9, 2024
This is a phenomenon that is increasingly worrying the authorities. Trips to Saudi Arabia, sold as "vacations", but which are in reality organized by French Salafist preachers, are increasing on social networks, according to information from Europe 1. Excursions which attract many young French people who actually indulge in the practices of radical Islam during these few days.
This is a recent phenomenon and one that worries the authorities. On social networks, travel offers to Saudi Arabia are multiplying with attractive prices: 990 euros instead of 2,600 for the first 50 registered for example. All-inclusive trips during which visitors can enjoy a whole host of entertaining activities such as nautical excursions, football tournaments or even moments of relaxation in local spas.
Originally Salafist preachers
But on site, the reality is quite different. According to information from Europe 1, the proposed program is somewhat different from what is indicated on the site. All activities revolve around religion, with this project: the Hijra, that is to say the return to the land of Islam.
During these trips, the French participants, often very young men from the Ile-de-France region, learned to reject the laws of the French Republic. Courses at the Islamist University of Medina are also offered. More surprising activities are also practiced such as tasting camel urine, a liquor with medicinal virtues according to Salafists.
Training of the new French Salafist generation
The journey, always supervised by Salafist preachers, ends with a pilgrimage to Mecca. A marketing argument that attracts more and more young people, particularly from Île-de-France. During a trip organized at the beginning of January, around sixty "students" under the age of 25 took part.
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A worrying phenomenon for the authorities who fear the ideological construction of the new Salafist generation in France.