Paris, February 22 (QNA) - A number of representatives of the Muslim community, heads of mosques, and charitable associations in France affirmed that Ramadan reflects the humanitarian spirit of Islam and allows the Muslim community in France to demonstrate solidarity, do good, and promote the values ​​of volunteering, religiosity, and commitment.

In exclusive statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA), they explained that the holy month represents an annual tradition for mosques and charitable associations to intensify activities and volunteer work, and to provide social assistance to the Muslim community.

They noted the remarkable turnout of young Muslims in France at mosques, Tarawih prayers, and a deepened interest in the religion, customs, and heritage of their parents and grandparents.

For his part, Sheikh Hassan Belmajdoub, president of the peace association and president of the Conseil Régional du Culte Musulman (CRCM) in Bordeaux, explained that Al-Salam Mosque and Muslim Cultural Centre in Bordeaux represent the heart of the religious and cultural life of the Muslim community in the Gironde region, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, southwest France, where the region includes 16 mosques and associations under the supervision of the CRCM, headed by Sheikh Belmajdoub.

He noted that Al-Salam Mosque was founded in 2006 and belongs to the Muslim community of Merignac, celebrating its 20th anniversary today. It was built on an area of 4,000 sqm, distributed over three floors, in an Arab-Islamic architectural design. A similar extension was recently added to meet the growing needs of worshippers and visitors, especially during Ramadan.

He said that the main prayer hall in the mosque is the largest of its kind in the region, accommodating about 3,000 worshippers, which reflects the interest in providing a comfortable environment for practicing religious rituals, especially during Ramadan, which witnesses a large turnout, especially during the last 10 days and Tarawih prayers.

Belmajdoub explained that the educational and cultural activities in the mosque and the Islamic center vary to include an Arabic language school in eight classrooms that receives about 600 students, in addition to an institute for Islamic studies for French speakers, where intensive programs in Hadith, jurisprudence and Islamic law are offered for three years, which contributes to the formation of new generations of specialized scholars and imams.

He added that the mosque’s Ramadan activities are characterized by diversity and comprehensiveness, as jurisprudence lessons are organized daily after the noon and afternoon prayers, in addition to providing religious consultations and guidance before the evening prayer, with bringing in a select group of jurists and imams from Morocco and several Arab countries to enrich the scientific and religious content during the holy month. These efforts culminate in the last 10 days by honoring the outstanding memorizers of the Holy Qur’an and the Prophet’s Sunnah and awarding them prizes and certificates.

Regarding charitable and social activities, Sheikh Belmajdoub emphasized that the mosque places great importance on providing support to those in need, achieved through the daily distribution of Ramadan food baskets daily to the poor, students, the homeless, and prisoners, ranging between 300 and 400. In addition, the mosque organizes weekly and communal iftar meals, benefiting large numbers of students, travelers, and those in need, reflecting the mosque's commitment to the principle of social solidarity and fostering a spirit of cooperation among community members. Furthermore, the mosque ensures the distribution of Zakat al-Fitr (charity given at the end of Ramadan) to eligible recipients, including the needy, orphans, low‑income families, and people with disabilities, according to detailed lists compiled before the end of the month.

In his remarks to the QNA, Sheikh Belmajdoub pointed out that the mosque’s role is not limited to the local aspect only, but also seeks to promote religious and cultural dialogue, as it organizes group Iftars for French officials and representatives of various religions in the region, thus providing opportunities for cultural exchange and introducing the community to the great human values ​​of Islam.

He also pointed out that one of the most prominent annual social initiatives is the White March, organized by the CRCM, with the participation of about 2,000 people from different religions and cultures, in a clear message of tolerance, cooperation, and peaceful coexistence.

He stressed that there is a remarkable phenomenon that began after the disappearance of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), which is the return of people and members of the Muslim community to the Islamic religion and their great turnout at various mosques in the region, as well as the conversion of many French people to the Islamic religion, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.

Sheikh Hassan Belmajdoub concluded his statement by pointing out that the Al-Salam Mosque witnesses an unprecedented attendance of more than 10,000 worshippers every night during the last 10 days of Ramadan, on Laylat al-Qadr, and during Eid prayers, reflecting the deep connection of the Arab and Muslim community in France to their religion and their commitment to the spiritual and social values ​​of the blessed month of Ramadan.

For his part, M'hammed Henniche, who is in charge of the Grand Mosque of Pantin and head of the Union des Associations Musulmanes de Seine-Saint-Denis (UAM-93), Paris, affirmed that the month of Ramadan constitutes a central milestone during which religious, humanitarian, and social initiatives abound, aimed at serving the Muslim community and enhancing its positive presence within French society.

He explained that the UAM-93's activities during the holy month include organizing mosque iftars, as well as preparing ready-made meals to be distributed to those wishing to break their fast at home or with their children, and daily distribution of dates, milk, and water to worshippers, in addition to special iftars organized to representatives of local authorities and leaders of other religions, highlighting the ethical values ​​and civilized conduct of Muslims during Ramadan.

Henniche said that, like most mosques in France, the Grand Mosque of Pantin radically changes its organization during Ramadan, in which they carry out a general cleaning of the mosque, including the prayer rugs. During the year, the mosque opens its doors 15 minutes before the prayer and closes 15 minutes after the prayer ends, but during Ramadan, the mosque remains open all day. The main charitable activity during the holy month is the communal iftar (breaking of the fast) at the mosque, where about 100 people break their fast daily. This requires a team of volunteers to manage the organization and services, and a respectable budget. The charitable aid also includes the Ramadan food basket, which benefits more than 120 families.

He pointed out that during the last 10 days of the month, the Union counts the needy families in preparation for distributing Zakat al-Fitr, collected inside mosques, according to precise standards that ensure it reaches those who deserve it. Around 600 families benefit from it.

On Eid al-Fitr, the Pantin Mosque is keen to bring joy to the hearts of children by acquiring toys that are distributed to them when they come with their families to perform the Eid prayer. This initiative comes as part of a series of charitable and humanitarian activities carried out by the mosque and the union throughout the holy month to promote the values ​​of solidarity and mutual support within the community.

M'hammed Henniche explained that the union, which includes more than 100 mosques in the Seine-Saint-Denis region known as 93, develops an integrated religious program that includes sermons, jurisprudence lessons, and awareness lectures, in addition to organizing the five daily prayers, Tarawih prayers, and Tahajjud prayers during the last 10 days.

He pointed out that the official statistics for 2025 estimate the region's population to be around 1.7 million people, including one million Muslims, which represents both a challenge and an opportunity to intensify charitable volunteer work.

He also noted that 80% of mosque funding throughout the year comes from Ramadan donations, reflecting the high level of trust these institutions enjoy and their pivotal role in serving the community.

The head of UAM-93 of Paris stressed that the Union has recently dedicated several evenings to collecting donations for the benefit of the affected Arab and Islamic peoples, especially in Palestine, Sudan, and some African countries, where these funds are transferred to humanitarian organizations concerned with providing aid, digging wells, and building schools.

Henniche added that support efforts have doubled since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, in cooperation with associations active on the ground in Palestine, to provide urgent assistance and alleviate the suffering of the population.

He concluded by emphasizing that the budget for these Ramadan activities amounts to about half a million euros throughout the holy month, which highlights the magnitude of the responsibility placed on the shoulders of the UAM-93 of Paris, and its prominent role in consolidating the values ​​of mutual support and solidarity.

For his part, Khalid Belkhadir, who is in charge of the grand mosque Al-Salam in the city of Carpentras in southeastern France, within the Vaucluse region (84), which is part of the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region, and president of the Regional Council of the Muslim Religion, explained that the holy month of Ramadan represents the peak of spiritual and social activity for the mosque, as all religious, cultural and charitable activities are abundant throughout the month, indicating that the mosque turnout increases significantly, especially in the last 10 days and the Tarawih prayers, which witness an unparalleled attendance of worshipers.

Belkhadir explained that the mosque spans approximately 1,700 sqm across two floors to provide a comfortable environment for worship with a prayer hall accommodating around 1,500 worshipers, ideal for peak Ramadan attendance.

He added that the main objective of this capacity and preparation is to create an atmosphere of spirituality and religious discipline, reflecting the Muslim community’s commitment to the spiritual and social values ​​of Islam.

Belkhadir explained that the religious and cultural activities range from lessons in Islamic jurisprudence and Sharia law to religious consultations offered by the imam before the Isha prayer, as well as training programs for new imams aimed at honing their skills in leading prayers and managing religious activities within the community. The mosque also organizes competitions and awards for memorizing the Holy Quran, the Prophet's Sunnah, and Islamic teachings. These events culminate in the distribution of prizes on Laylat al-Qadr, marking the pinnacle of celebrating knowledge and learning during the holy month.

On the charitable and social front, Belkhadir emphasized that the mosque prioritizes supporting those in need. During Ramadan, food baskets are distributed to impoverished families, and food and financial assistance are provided to the homeless, travelers, and students. Additionally, zakat is also distributed to the needy during Eid al-Fitr. Furthermore, support is extended to some prisons in the region to bring joy and peace to the inmates during the holy month.

In his remarks to QNA, Belkhadir said the mosque also organizes group Iftar meals in which fasting people participate, while ensuring assistance reaches those unable to attend in person, to ensure the comprehensiveness of the charitable work.

He affirmed that these efforts reflect the mosque’s commitment to the highest human values ​​in Islam and contribute to strengthening social solidarity and the spirit of cooperation among members of the Muslim community and those around it.

Belkhadir concluded his statement by emphasizing that the month of Ramadan represents an exceptional opportunity to intensify charitable and religious work, and that the mosque seeks, through these initiatives, to deepen ties with the local community and introduce society to the tolerant values ​​of Islam, through activities that combine worship, learning, and charitable work, making Ramadan an occasion to celebrate both spirituality and giving.

The latest statistics and estimates for 2025 indicate that there are 2,670 mosques in France, including 462 mosques in Paris and its suburbs.

In 2024, figures from the French Council of Muslim Faith (CFCM) show that there are about 460 imams active in mosques in France, in addition to visiting imams who are brought in specifically for Islamic religious occasions, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.

The latest figures and demographic estimates suggest that around 5.7 to 6.7 million Muslims will be living in France in 2025, which is roughly equivalent to 8-10% of the total population. (QNA)