Prefect Orders Six‑Month Closure of Chanteloup Mosque in Seine‑Saint‑Denis

Overview

• The prefect of Seine‑Saint‑Denis issued a six‑month administrative closure for the Chanteloup (Attaqwa) mosque in Aulnay‑sous‑Bois on Monday, citing speeches and online content that the prefecture says promote violence and praise terrorist acts.
• The order invokes Article L.227‑1 of the French Code of Internal Security, which lets prefects close places of worship when they judge speech or activity to incite terrorism, hatred or violence.
• Officials pointed to recorded sermons and a months‑old video on X in which an imam who spoke at the mosque urged hitting children who did not pray, material the prefecture says reflects a radical Islamist rhetoric that legitimizes jihad and glorifies martyrdom.
• The mosque's managing association has filed an urgent référé at the Tribunal administratif de Montreuil to annul the closure, arguing the prefect relied on imprecise or insufficient evidence and saying it has removed the two imams tied to most complaints; the mosque says it remains open pending the court's interim order.
• The case underscores how prefectural powers are being used to police online and sermon content, and it could affect local worshippers, community relations and how courts weigh social‑media evidence in future administrative counter‑terrorism actions.