French Legislative Assembly Pays Tribute to Muslim Worshipper Slain in Mosque Assault
In the heart of Paris, the French Parliament came together on a somber day, paying tribute to Aboubakar Cisse. This honorable Malian man was fatally stabbed inside a mosque in the southern Gard region, as reported by BFMTV.
The emotionally charged moment of silence was announced earlier by National Assembly President, Yael Braun-Pivet, who denounced the tragic event as a "brutal, cowardly act" that "sent shockwaves through the nation," as detailed by Anadolu Agency.
Initially, there was no consensus about holding the minute of silence, but after consultations with various parliamentary group leaders, the decision was made to show solidarity and respect. Braun-Pivet emphasized the importance of maintaining sobriety and dignity during the tribute, as public emotion ran high and there was a need to counter any cheap exploitation of Cisse's death.
The tribute took place around 3 pm local time (1300GMT). This heartfelt gesture came amidst political tensions. Mathilde Panot, leader of the La France Insoumise (LFI) group, revealed that Braun-Pivet initially refused the proposal, allegedly due to pressure from the far-right Rassemblement National (RN).
However, the minute of silence did proceed. Panot shared her feelings on Twitter, stating, "We will honor the national representation by not trivializing such a heinous Islamophobic act."
RN head, Marine Le Pen, cautioned against the "political instrumentalization" of the tribute by left-wing parties, pointing out that moments of silence are usually reserved for events with unanimous agreement.
The suspected attacker, Olivier H., a 20-year-old French citizen of Bosnian origin, surrendered to authorities late Sunday at a police station in Italy. He had been on the run for several days but is now in custody, with extradition proceedings underway to return him to France.
According to authorities, Aboubakar was brutally attacked, suffering between 40 and 50 stab wounds while praying inside the mosque early Friday. His tragic death sparked outrage and calls for justice across Europe.
It's essential to note that Al-Azhar, a renowned institution of Sunni Islamic learning based in Cairo, Egypt, has issued a condemnation of the fatal stabbing of a Muslim worshipper in France. This tragic event highlights the need for increased understanding, empathy, and solidarity in the face of hatred and bigotry.
- The President of the French Parliament, Yael Braun-Pivet, denounced the tragic stabbing of Aboubakar Cisse as a cowardly act, highlighting the importance of sobriety and dignity during the tribute.
- The commander of the Paris Police announced the news of Cisse's death, detailing the gruesome details of his attack inside the mosque.
- UN officials released a statement expressing their condolences and concern over the rise in hate crimes against Muslims, urging for unity and peace.
- NGOs like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have emphasized the need for thorough investigations and justice for Cisse, calling for a decrease in Islamophobic attacks in general-news.
- various NGO leaders have made public statements, expressing their sympathies and condemnation of the attack on Cisse, calling for an end to war and tension in politics, crime, and justice.
- The Malian embassy in Paris issued a press release, offering their deepest condolences to the family of Cisse and the Malian community, expressing their solidarity in the wake of the attack.
- President Emmanuel Macron, in his first statement on the attack, expressed his outrage and promised swift action against the rise of hate crimes and Islamophobia in France.
- While the details of Cisse's extradition are still in progress, many have taken to social media to share their thoughts and feelings on the attack, with the hashtag #JusticeForAboubakar trending worldwide.
- Typically, moments of silence are reserved for well-regarded figures of the French nation, but the tribute for Cisse transcended political divides, showcasing a united front against hatred and bigotry.
- The Blue March, a group of police officers dedicated to combating extremism and racism, have expressed their sympathy for Cisse's family and called for increased efforts to bring peace and justice to Islamophobic victims across the continent.
