Villeurbanne: Quran Burned in Mosque, Suspect Arrested

A man suspected of stealing and burning a copy of the Quran at the Errahma Mosque in Villeurbanne (Rhône) was arrested and taken into custody on Tuesday, June 3. The incident occurred during the night of Sunday, June 1 to Monday, June 2, shortly before the first morning prayer, around 3:45 a.m.

According to the Rhône Council of Mosques (CMR), and confirmed by the Lyon prosecutor’s office, the individual—a legal adult described as “psychologically fragile”—entered the prayer room with his face uncovered. After a brief exchange with a worshipper, he allegedly left the mosque carrying a Quran made available for congregants, which he then burned outside the building.

The worshipper who witnessed the act extinguished the flames but did not immediately alert authorities, not realizing the gravity of the situation. The mosque’s leadership reviewed security footage on Tuesday morning and subsequently filed a complaint. The investigation has been entrusted to the judicial police for “damage or destruction by a means dangerous to people, committed on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality or religion,” according to the Lyon prosecutor’s office.

Widespread Condemnation

The mosque’s leaders denounced what they called an “extremely serious act of Islamophobia.” Villeurbanne’s mayor, Cédric Van Styvendael, condemned “yet another Islamophobic act” and expressed his support for “all the mosque’s worshippers.” The CMR described it as a “vile desecration” and a “serious affront to the dignity of worshippers and the fundamental principles of our Republic,” calling for exemplary prosecution.

Local lawmakers Idir Boumertit and Gabriel Amard, both members of the France Unbowed (LFI) party, also strongly condemned the act. Religious leaders and representatives of the Muslim community are urging authorities to fully investigate the incident, which they see as indicative of rising hostility and tensions.