French minister affirms street prayers' ban in north Paris
                 Source: Xinhua | 2017-11-21 03:08:29 | Editor: huaxia

PARIS, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- French authorities will prevent prayers on a street 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 said.

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.

The ban came several months after a row about prayer space between Muslims and city politicians.

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.

But city lawmakers and locals have repeatedly rejected what they view as an unacceptable use of public space, according to a report by digital news publisher The Local.

Worshipers 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 to an estimate of 5 million Muslims, prevents public displays of religious activity, including street prayers and full face-covered veil, according to The Local.

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French minister affirms street prayers' ban in north Paris

Source: Xinhua 2017-11-21 03:08:29

PARIS, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- French authorities will prevent prayers on a street 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 said.

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.

The ban came several months after a row about prayer space between Muslims and city politicians.

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.

But city lawmakers and locals have repeatedly rejected what they view as an unacceptable use of public space, according to a report by digital news publisher The Local.

Worshipers 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 to an estimate of 5 million Muslims, prevents public displays of religious activity, including street prayers and full face-covered veil, according to The Local.

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