The French government has decided to convert some of the military barracks that were used in the past, into temporary praying space until a final decision is made regarding the use of Paris streets for this purpose.

Claude Guéant, French interior minister, stated that all the necessary procedures had been taken to convert some of the barracks that have not been used by the military in the neighbourhood of Klinyukur, currently housing a high number of Muslims. This decision will be implemented in mid-September, he added.

In an interview with the French paper, Le Parisien, Gueant argued that this goes against the secular character of the French nation, whereby it is no longer accepted for worshippers to close down the streets in order to carry out their prayers.

He also stated that the creation of temporary mosques would be carried out in several other districts, specifically the 18th district. Gueant added that despite the 1905 Law on the Separation of Churches and State, that prohibits the building of places of worship, Muslims have been given the exception to build some mosques.

Despite the lack of an official census that would determine the exact number of Muslims residing in France, as the law prohibits the undertaking of a census based on religion, it is expected that out of the 63 Million citizens, the Muslim population is approximately 6 to 8 Million. The French government has decided to convert some of the military barracks that were used in the past, into temporary praying space until a final decision is made regarding the use of Paris streets for this purpose.

Claude Guéant, French interior minister, stated that all the necessary procedures had been taken to convert some of the barracks that have not been used by the military in the neighbourhood of Klinyukur, currently housing a high number of Muslims. This decision will be implemented in mid-September, he added.

In an interview with the French paper, Le Parisien, Gueant argued that this goes against the secular character of the French nation, whereby it is no longer accepted for worshippers to close down the streets in order to carry out their prayers.

He also stated that the creation of temporary mosques would be carried out in several other districts, specifically the 18th district. Gueant added that despite the 1905 Law on the Separation of Churches and State, that prohibits the building of places of worship, Muslims have been given the exception to build some mosques.

Despite the lack of an official census that would determine the exact number of Muslims residing in France, as the law prohibits the undertaking of a census based on religion, it is expected that out of the 63 Million citizens, the Muslim population is approximately 6 to 8 Million. The French government has decided to convert some of the military barracks that were used in the past, into temporary praying space until a final decision is made regarding the use of Paris streets for this purpose.

Claude Guéant, French interior minister, stated that all the necessary procedures had been taken to convert some of the barracks that have not been used by the military in the neighbourhood of Klinyukur, currently housing a high number of Muslims. This decision will be implemented in mid-September, he added.

In an interview with the French paper, Le Parisien, Gueant argued that this goes against the secular character of the French nation, whereby it is no longer accepted for worshippers to close down the streets in order to carry out their prayers.

He also stated that the creation of temporary mosques would be carried out in several other districts, specifically the 18th district. Gueant added that despite the 1905 Law on the Separation of Churches and State, that prohibits the building of places of worship, Muslims have been given the exception to build some mosques.

Despite the lack of an official census that would determine the exact number of Muslims residing in France, as the law prohibits the undertaking of a census based on religion, it is expected that out of the 63 Million citizens, the Muslim population is approximately 6 to 8 Million.