Following the tragic killing of a Muslim worshipper in a mosque in La Grand-Combe, southern France, President Emmanuel Macron has condemned the act, emphasizing that "racism and hatred based on religion can have no place in France."

The incident occurred on Friday, April 25, 2025, when a young Malian man in his 20s was fatally stabbed approximately 50 times while praying alone in the Khadija mosque. The assailant, identified as a 20-year-old French national named Olivier, reportedly recorded the attack on his phone, shouting insults at "Allah" during the assault.

Local prosecutor Abdelkrim Grini stated that investigators are prioritizing the possibility of an Islamophobic motive, though other motivations have not been ruled out. The suspect, who has no prior criminal record, remains at large, with 70 investigators actively searching for him. ​

The Grand Mosque of Paris condemned the attack, urging authorities to classify the incident as a terrorist act and to address its severity for the safety of all. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin labeled the stabbing a "despicable murder," while Prime Minister François Bayrou described it as an act of "Islamophobic ignominy."

In response to the attack, SOS Racisme organized a march in La Grand-Combe on Sunday, April 27, 2025, to honor the victim and protest against Islamophobia. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau attended the march, pledging that the suspect would be apprehended and emphasizing that such acts of violence are intolerable in society. ​

This incident has reignited discussions about religious tolerance and the safety of minority communities in France, highlighting the ongoing challenges in addressing hate crimes and ensuring the protection of all citizens.