On May 2, 2025, approximately 700 mourners gathered at the Khadija Mosque in La Grand-Combe, southern France, to attend the funeral of Aboubakar Cisse, a 22-year-old Malian man who was fatally stabbed inside the mosque on April 25. The attack has deeply shaken the local community and sparked national outrage.
French authorities are investigating the murder as a suspected premeditated hate crime based on race or religion. The suspect, a French national of Bosnian origin, allegedly stabbed Cisse multiple times and filmed the assault. He surrendered to police in Italy after nearly three days on the run and is currently awaiting extradition to France.
The incident has intensified scrutiny on Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who faced criticism for not visiting the crime scene or promptly meeting with Cisse’s family. Retailleau defended his actions by citing difficulties in locating the family due to Cisse’s undocumented status in France. However, he is scheduled to meet with the family in Paris on Monday.
President Emmanuel Macron condemned the killing, emphasizing that there is no place for religious hatred in French society. The tragedy has reignited discussions about racism, immigration, and the treatment of undocumented individuals in France.