French police have opened a formal investigation following the discovery of severed pig heads placed outside multiple mosques in the Paris region, in what officials are calling a deeply disturbing and Islamophobic act.
The incidents occurred on public roads near mosques in Paris and surrounding suburbs, prompting swift condemnation from national leaders and religious communities. Paris Police Chief Laurent Nunez stated, “Every effort is being made to find the perpetrators of these despicable acts,” emphasizing the seriousness of the investigation.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau also denounced the attacks, calling them “outrageous” and “absolutely unacceptable.” He added, “I want our Muslim compatriots to be able to practice their faith in peace.”
France, home to the largest Muslim population in the European Union, has seen a troubling rise in anti-Muslim and anti-Semitic incidents since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict in October 2023, according to the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights.
Local officials and community leaders have rallied in support of the affected mosques, stressing unity and resilience in the face of hate. The Mayor of Pont-Saint-Esprit, where a similar incident occurred last year, remarked, “These people seek to divide communities, but on the contrary, in the face of such acts, we strengthen bonds.”