A Muslim preacher is said to have described the French flag as a “satanic object” in a sermon. The case is causing a stir in France. Now the imam has to return to Tunisia.
France has urgently deported an imam to Tunisia after being accused of radical sermons. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin announced that the radical preacher was expelled from the country less than twelve hours after his arrest. “This is proof that the immigration law, without which such a rapid deportation would not have been possible, makes France stronger.” The Muslim preacher from a southern French community near Avignon is said to have described the French flag as a “satanic object” in a sermon on February 9th. There was a video recording of the sermon, and other sermons had also given the authorities cause for concern.
His statements contradicted the values of the republic and promoted discrimination against women and tensions with the Jewish community as well as Islamist radicalization, according to the deportation order, which the broadcaster France Info was able to view. The preacher’s lawyer announced on the station that he would take action against the deportation before the administrative court. The Tunis-born preacher, who has lived in France since his childhood, spoke of a misleading formulation and emphasized his commitment to basic French values.
The preacher’s case caused a stir in France. On the one hand, the country has become more aware of attacks and incidents with an Islamist background. On the other hand, the haste of the authorities raised eyebrows.
Source: Stern

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