PARIS, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- France will prevent prayers on the streets of Clichy-La-Garenne city, north Paris where a Muslim association plans further payers this week, Interior Minister Gerard Collomb has said.
"There won't be prayers on the street. We will prevent street praying," Collomb affirmed.
However, he told local media Sunday that "Muslims must have a place of worship to pray."
"We will make sure we resolve this conflict in the next few weeks," he pledged.
Since March, worshipers have hold Friday prayers on the streets of Clichy-La-Garenne to protest the closure of a mosque located in the city's center.
They also accused local authorities of not offering them adequate land to build a new mosque. But some officials argue that Muslim worshipers already have a place to pray north of the town.
France, home of 5 million of Muslims, prevents public displays of religious activity, including street prayers and full face-covered veil.
