A young Malian man identified as Aboubakar has been brutally murdered in a suspected hate-driven attack inside a mosque in southern France, sparking widespread condemnation and a renewed debate over Islamophobia in the country. The shocking incident occurred in the early hours of Friday at the Khadidja Mosque located in La Grand-Combe, a quiet town in the Gard region of southern France.
The victim, aged either 23 or 24, was a regular worshipper at the mosque, particularly in the Trescol area where he lived. Local authorities and eyewitness reports confirmed that he was viciously attacked and stabbed multiple times—reportedly up to 50—by a man believed to be around 20 years old. The suspect, a French national, is still on the run as of the time of reporting.
Surveillance footage retrieved from the mosque’s security system captured the harrowing moments leading up to and following the deadly assault. It showed the suspect entering the mosque where he initially appeared to pray alongside the victim before suddenly launching the violent attack. Disturbingly, after carrying out the stabbing, the attacker reportedly took out his phone and filmed the victim lying in a pool of blood while hurling insults at Allah and making derogatory remarks about Islam.
According to reports from respected French media outlets, the killer’s self-recorded video—which has not been fully released publicly—captured him acknowledging the presence of the mosque’s CCTV cameras. In the footage, he is heard saying, “I am going to be arrested – that’s for sure,” moments after the stabbing.
The attacker, who had never been seen at the mosque prior to the incident, fled the scene immediately, leaving the victim’s lifeless body behind. It was not until other worshippers arrived for the Friday congregational prayers that the gruesome discovery was made. The mosque community, shaken and in deep mourning, has since mobilised efforts to raise funds for the repatriation of Aboubakar’s remains to his family in Mali.
French authorities, led by the public prosecutor in Ales, Abdelkrim Grini, confirmed that the motive for the killing is being investigated with a focus on possible Islamophobic intent. While the case has not yet been formally handed over to France’s National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT), the office is said to be closely monitoring developments.
The Prime Minister of France, François Bayrou, has publicly condemned the killing in strong terms, describing it as an “Islamophobic atrocity.” In a statement shared via his official account on social media platform X, Bayrou said, “A worshipper was murdered yesterday. The Islamophobic atrocity was displayed in a video. We stand with the victim’s loved ones and with the believers who are so deeply shaken.”
He assured that security and law enforcement agencies have been fully mobilised to ensure the swift arrest and prosecution of the assailant.
The incident has sparked outrage across France and beyond, with human rights groups and Islamic organisations calling for a more decisive response to growing anti-Muslim sentiment in parts of Europe. The murder of Aboubakar adds to a troubling list of attacks against Muslims and Islamic institutions in France, many of which have raised concerns about the rise of far-right extremism and religious intolerance.
As investigations continue, the grieving community in La Grand-Combe is left searching for answers and justice, while the broader Muslim world watches closely, demanding accountability and protection for worshippers in spaces meant for peace and prayer.