The French government has vowed to act after a group of Muslim travellers at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris were pictured praying openly sparking outrage given the secular country’s strict rules around public worship.
Airport operator Augustin de Romanet has branded the incident “regrettable”.
Pictures of the large group praying in the departures hall were shared widely on Sunday, October 5.
Some 30 travellers reportedly took part in the prayer lasting some 10 minutes according to an airport source who has not been identified.
The controversy comes amid heightened tensions within France amid the conflict between Gaza and Israel as the country is home to both a sizeable Jewish and Muslim community.
Charles de Gaulle Airport does have special private areas for people of all faiths to pray.
Under France’s secular constitution, displays of religious belief in public spaces are banned.
These rules expand to schools, public buildings and airports.
De Romanet declared in a statement on X that police at the airport will “increase viligance.”
He wrote: “Dedicated places of worship exist, the border police have been instructed to prohibit this and will increase their vigilance.”
The picture was shared by former European affairs minister Noelle Lenoir who commented sarcastically: “What does the CEO of Aeroports de Paris do when his airport is transformed into a mosque? Is the change in status official?”
Transport Minister Clement Beaune wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that airport authorities were fully committed to implementing rules and vowed “firmness”.
