Trappes Attack: The French state must be held accountable for mainstreaming Islamophobia

In Trappes, France, a Muslim suburb near Paris, on the morning of jumuah, a white man killed a Muslim and wounded 3 other, including a 12 year old girl with a submachine gun.

This killing is already the second in the last year and a half, following the murder of Aboubakar Cissé in april 2025.

These attacks are no coincidence. They are the natural result of decades of Islamophobic policies and narratives spread by the State. 

France forcefully closed down thousands of Muslim establishments since 2019, applying a « systematic obstruction » policy against the Muslim community. Imams have been expelled for quoting verses of the Qur’an. Mosques have been shut down.

Thus far, whilst acknowledging this was a 'terrorist' incident, media and politicians are insinuating mental health rather than declaring this an Islamophobic attack.

The State and the media bear the responsibility of these killings and should be held accountable, as they successfully mainstreamed Islamophobia. 

Decades of war on Islam accompanied by dehumanising and colonial propaganda led to these attacks.