The images of Muslim travelers collectively praying at a French airport sparked controversy. The government pledged ‘firmness,’ and the airport operator described the incident as regrettable.

The photos, widely shared on social media, depicted several dozen travelers praying together in the departures hall of Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris before a flight to Jordan. These images emerged during rising tensions in France amid the conflict between Hamas and Israel.

France’s Transport Minister, Clement Beaune, stated on X that airport authorities were fully committed to enforcing rules and promised to be firm in this regard.

The prayers took place in terminal 2B of France’s largest airport, with approximately 30 travelers participating. The session lasted around 10 minutes, as reported by AFP.

While the airport has designated special closed areas for people of all faiths to pray privately, France imposes restrictions on the display of religious beliefs in public spaces, including schools and public buildings such as airports.

The CEO of Aeroports de Paris (ADP), Augustin de Romanet, described the incident as “a regrettable first” and emphasised the existence of dedicated places of worship at the airport.

He also stated that border police have been instructed to prohibit such actions and increase their vigilance. However, he cautioned against exaggerating the incident, seemingly referring to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The photos also drew attention on social media, with Noelle Lenoir, a former minister, asking sarcastically, “What does the CEO of Aeroports de Paris do when his airport is transformed into a mosque? Is the change in status official?”

French MP Astrid Panosyan-Bouvet emphasised the presence of dedicated places of worship at the airport and stressed the need to enforce the rules prevailing in France, including at airports.

However, Luc Carvounas, the mayor of Alfortville outside Paris, accused Astrid Panosyan-Bouvet of making “clumsy comments that could be compared to Islamophobia” and called on her to clarify her remarks or even apologise.