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It is no surprise that the investigating commissioner, responsible for the report on the DUP for the establishment of a daycare on Pontremoli Street, concluded with a favorable opinion. Patrick Allemand responds to this announcement by supporting the project of a mosque in Nice.
The remarks of the investigating commissioner on the significant noise and safety constraints related to the 40-meter road might make one regret the choice of this location for a daycare with a maximum of only 40 places compared to the need for 300 places.
However, I remind you that the opinion of the investigating commissioner is only advisory, and the prefect is not obligated to follow it.
If he did follow it, there are still avenues of appeal, and a long legal battle lies ahead, which is unrelated to the supposed urgency of the daycare need.
What is shocking in this case is that the city hall has granted a construction permit, several hundred thousand euros of work have been done, and this mosque is ready to open.
Preventing the construction of a Muslim place of worship, successive mayors have demonstrated their know-how, and in fact, there is no difference between Peyrat, who preempts a location to turn it into a garbage room, and Estrosi, who preempts another to turn it into a municipal police station.
This time, it is not about preventing construction; it is about preventing an opening and destroying. The symbolism is not the same; it is much more violent. Those who make this decision should think twice and carefully evaluate the threat of public unrest that could result from it.
What is shocking in this case is that it is strictly political. Moreover, the mayor clearly expressed it on October 20, 2012: “I will use all the legal means at my disposal, and everyone knows that whenever I wanted to oppose a place of worship, I found the legal means.” It is indeed the admission that this daycare is just an alibi and an act of authority.
However, the investigating commissioner noted a very strong mobilization of Niรงois of Muslim faith, with more than 6,000 signatures for the mosque and 710 statements submitted out of a total of 855, demonstrating growing determination and exasperation.
I remind you that the role of a mayor is neither to hinder freedom of worship nor to place a faith under supervision. This is an abuse of power.
By persisting in this path of humiliation and refusing legitimate recognition to our fellow citizens of Muslim faith, the city fosters the “Islam of basements and garages,” clandestinity, which ultimately leads to the radicalization of young people.
If today, the city of Nice is the one in France that supplies the most jihadists to Syria, it is time to ask the question: Why?
That is why I unequivocally support the En-Nour project.
Patrick Allemand, municipal and metropolitan councilor (PS)
