French Court Overturns Ban on Major Muslim Gathering in Paris

In a significant victory for religious freedom in France, an administrative court has overturned a government-imposed ban on the Annual Encounter of Muslims of France (AEMF), allowing the four-day event to proceed as planned in northern Paris.

The ruling came just two hours before the event’s scheduled 14:00 opening — a dramatic last-minute decision that will be welcomed by Muslim communities across Europe.

What Happened?

The Paris police department had sought to ban the gathering, citing security concerns and claiming the event could be a potential target for terrorism. Authorities also raised the possibility that far-right groups might attempt to disrupt proceedings, and argued the event would place an excessive strain on police resources.

However, the Muslims of France (MF) association — the country’s largest Muslim body and organiser of the event — swiftly challenged the ban, filing an emergency injunction and arguing that prohibiting the gathering would constitute a clear breach of fundamental civil liberties.

The administrative court sided with the organisers, finding that the evidence provided by police “did not establish the risk of counter-demonstrations, or that the gathering would be targeted by far-right groups.” The court also dismissed concerns over policing capacity, noting that the MF association had itself committed to providing additional security measures.

A Beloved Community Institution Returns

Part cultural and religious conference, part trade fair, the Annual Encounter of Muslims of France has long been one of Europe’s most celebrated Muslim gatherings. Before the COVID-19 pandemic brought it to a halt in 2019, the event regularly drew tens of thousands of attendees from across the continent, fostering a spirit of community, faith, and Islamic culture.

Its return after a six-year absence will be a joyful moment for many in the Muslim community.

A Wider Political Context

The attempted ban did not occur in a vacuum. It coincided with France’s announcement of a new “anti-separatism” law, aimed primarily at Muslim organisations promoting ideas deemed incompatible with French republican values. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described the legislation as an extension of a similar law passed five years ago, which granted authorities the power to shut down associations accused of promoting Islamic separatism.

Critics, including the MF’s lawyer Sefen Guez Guez, argued that the ban was less about security and more about providing political momentum for the incoming legislation. He called it a “manifest breach of the right to assemble,” a view the court ultimately found compelling.

Police, for their part, maintained that public order — not religion — was the sole motivation behind the ban.

A Win for Muslim Civil Liberties

Regardless of the political backdrop, today’s ruling is an important reminder that the right to peaceful assembly is a cornerstone of democratic society — one that cannot be set aside without robust and credible justification.

For Muslim communities in France and beyond, the Annual Encounter of Muslims of France represents far more than a conference. It is a space for connection, learning, and the celebration of faith. Its return, secured through legal action, is a testament to the resilience of France’s Muslim community in the face of increasing scrutiny.