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PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 5, 2025: A large crowd gathered at the Grand Mosque of Paris for the funeral prayer (salat al-janaza) of Aboubakar Cissé, a Malian man who was killed while praying at a mosque in southern France. The ceremony, held in the mosque’s courtyard and prayer hall, unfolded in a solemn and emotional atmosphere. Mourners stood shoulder to shoulder in a powerful expression of unity and collective grief. Moments of silent reflection and heartfelt prayer marked the occasion, as the community came together to honor and mourn the life of Cissé. On April 25, 2025, 22-year-old Malian national Aboubakar Cissé was fatally stabbed inside the Khadidja Mosque in La Grand-Combe, southern France. The assailant, identified as 21-year-old French citizen Olivier A., reportedly filmed the attack and shouted anti-Islamic slurs during the assault. After fleeing, he surrendered to Italian authorities three days later and was extradited to France. The incident has been widely condemned as an Islamophobic hate crime, with French Prime Minister François Bayrou labeling it "an act of Islamophobic ignominy." The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office has not taken over the case, considering it the act of a lone individual. Cissé's murder has intensified concerns about rising anti-Muslim sentiment in France. In 2025 alone, 72 anti-Muslim incidents have been reported. The attack prompted nationwide protests and vigils, including a large gathering at Place de la République in Paris, where demonstrators called for stronger action against Islamophobia. (Footage by Umit Donmez/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)