Corsican Muslims seek help from French Government

12/4/2004 3:40:00 PM GMT

Source: Azertag.com

The French island of Corsica plans to launch a weeklong campaign to bridge the gaps between followers of different religions after racist attacks, particularly against the Muslim community, escalated over the past month.

The highest French government official in Corsica, Pierre-Rene Lemas, decided to lead a solidarity week that aims at improving the relations among the multi-ethnic citizens, the Liberation newspaper reported.

Mr. Lemas is also planning to increase security measures around mosques in the island, especially after a Muslim cultural centre and prayer hall in the southern Corsican town of Sartene was attacked on Saturday, November 27.

Unidentified attackers fired several shots at the door of the center and the bullets almost hit Imam Mohammad El-Atrache.

The assailants also drew a swastika and wrote “Arabs Out” in the Corsican language on the walls of the prayer hall.

French authorities have also pressed for such security measures after the attack on the Islamic center.

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