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A mosque and a Turkish association linked to the Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs (DITIB) were targeted in racist attacks in France, officials said.
At a mosque in Puy-en-Velay in the Haute-Loire region, a group tore copies of the Quran and threw them on the floor.
In a separate incident in Montreal-la-Cluse in the Ain region, a bullet was left inside the mailbox of a DITIB-affiliated association.
The French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) condemned the attack on the mosque, expressing solidarity with its congregation.
The council described the act as a “serious Islamophobic attack” that must not be taken lightly.
The statement warned that recent “biased surveys, reports and stigmatizing proposals” targeting Muslims increase the risk of such acts and called on the Muslim community to remain vigilant.
DITIB also condemned the attack on its association, saying it targeted the Turkish community in Montreal-la-Cluse and the practice of coexistence.
The organization conveyed its well-wishes to members of the association and said it will pursue legal action against “this act aimed at creating fear and intimidation.”
It called on authorities to show sensitivity and responsibility in addressing such incidents.
The incidents come after a Nov. 18 survey by the Ifop polling institute on “the relationship of Muslims in France with Islam and Islamism.”
The survey faced backlash for allegedly violating neutrality and fueling hatred toward Muslims.
CFCM had also criticized the increasing “instrumentalization” of surveys conducted about Muslim citizens.
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