France: desecration of a Muslim place of worship

Desecrated mosque

Toul (France) - A Muslim place of worship was desecrated at Toul in north-eastern France, with racist graffiti, swastikas and a pig's head hung on the door, said Wednesday a source close to the investigation.

•     The building was entirely covered in graffiti, declared a witness Wednesday morning. A pig head was hung on the door handle as well as pigs’ feet on parts of this place of worship, run by a Maghreb socio-cultural association near the city of Nancy.
  
      Swastikas, SS symbols and xenophobic formulas cover the three facades of the building in a suburb of Toul.
  
      Attorney Raymond Morey, who visited the site in the morning, said he decided to entrust the investigation to the Judicial Police of Nancy because of "the gravity of these facts."
  
      The place of worship, which includes a prayer hall and classrooms, was opened there two decades ago. "We never had a problem so far," said Ichou Amzil, treasurer of the socio-cultural association.
  
      Nadine Morano, Secretary of State for Family and Solidarity and regional elected, said she "learned with dismay" the damage committed, in a statement.
  
      She added that they "strongly condemned the unacceptable violence" and "hopes shed light on this matter so that those responsible be tried and punished."
  
      
  Ennaharonline/ M. O.