The leader of the Nissa Rebela movement, Philippe Vardon, went to the administrative court to demand the annulment of the lease between the city of Nice and the mosque on rue de Suisse. The decision will be made in about two weeks.
Philippe Vardon does not hide it; he attended the hearing with a lot of confidence. The identity advocate is here as an “aggrieved taxpayer” to denounce the “unjustly low” rent that the Muslim association benefits from for their mosque.
A rent reduced.
It was in October 2011 that Imam Ramzan Magamadov, president of the Association des Musulmans du Centre-ville in the city of Nice, signed a lease with the city for premises located at 12 rue de Suisse. A rent of €350 was initially planned. A low sum because the association benefits from a 50% discount granted to cultural associations. But for the identity advocate, this is a “violation of the principle of secularism of institutions through a disguised subsidy to the Muslim faith.” Because the association, as explained by the public rapporteur, involves religious activities, thereby prohibiting the discount granted by the city. A decision that would annul the lease would therefore raise the rent to €700. Again, the identity advocate contests, claiming that 163m² in a central city district is not worth €700. “According to our experts, it would cost €1800 monthly. We are far from the initial €350!” The decision is expected in two weeks, but the conclusions of the public rapporteur seem to align with those of the leader of Nissa Rebela.
A return of street prayers?
According to the lawyer of the city of Nice, the annulment of the lease could lead to a return of street prayers. It is precisely to prevent this phenomenon that Christian Estrosi took measures and “offered decent establishments to Muslim associations.” This information should be taken with caution. Indeed, the lawyer of the association predicts: “If the judgment favors Mr. Vardon, we will conclude another lease.” It would then be a political victory for the identity advocates of the city, who already plan to scrutinize the opening of a new mosque in Roquebillière.
