On August 30, 2022, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin announced the upcoming deportation of Moroccan-born preacher Hassan Iquioussen, on grounds of his antisemitic and sexist statements. Darmanin tweeted: "The State Council [which must approve government decisions when they are challenged] approved the expulsion of Mr. [Hassan] Iquioussen, who disseminates antisemitic statements and statements denying the equality of women and men. This is a great victory for the [French] Republic. He will be deported from national territory."[1]
Earlier this year, France's Nord prefecture refused to renew Iquioussen's residence permit, alleging that he advocated hatred, speaking against the values of the Republic, including secularism and the equality of women and men, and espoused antisemitic conspiracy theories about the spread of Islamophobia.
On May 3, the Macron government began deportation proceedings against Imam Iquioussen, which were halted when a judge in the Paris administrative tribunal suspended the government order, saying there was no evidence to support the State's charges of antisemitism or religious extremism against Iquioussen. The judge agreed with the imam's lawyers, who argued that Iquioussen's talk was taken out of context and did not amount to incitement. This decision then was appealed by Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin, and the State Council approved the order of deportation.
In 2013, MEMRI alerted authorities about the incitement espoused by Imam Hassen Iquioussen in his sermons and speeches. In a report published on MEMRI's French website,[2] Iquioussen was cited as saying: "There are 13 levels of Jihad [...] and he [the Prophet] places armed jihad against the enemy at the 13th [highest] level. [...] Muslims need to take action [...] We must thwart the strategy of the devil." He also said: "We are Muslims [...] That is our identity, that is our nationality, that is our being, that is the most important thing. Everything else is secondary, everything else must be grafted onto this Abrahamic identity [...] And if the rest contradicts what Prophet Muhammad and his ancestor Ibrahim taught, throw it to the garbage, even if it is beautiful, even if it is good, even if it's modern, who cares."
In a January 14, 2013 MEMRI TV clip, Imam Hassan Iquioussen said that "Jihad is the pinnacle of Islam; those who do not fully commit to Islam will be discarded by Allah."[3] In a video lesson posted on January 14, 2013 on an account called "foundiba" on Daily Motion, he against described "armed jihad against the external enemy" as the pinnacle of Islam, and called on his audience to fully "commit" to Islam, saying they must not place this world above Allah, the Prophet Muhammad, and jihad. Muslims who do not "commit" are "discarded" by Allah, he said, adding: "Don't think that Islam will stop because you do not want to commit."
To view the clip of Imam Hassan Iquioussen on MEMRI TV, click here or below
"If You Don't Want To Commit [To Islam], You Will Suffer In This World And In The Hereafter... God Is Going To Put You Aside"
Hassan Iquioussen: "If you don't want to commit [to Islam], what will happen to you? [The Quran says): 'God will punish you with a painful punishment.' You are going to struggle and suffer in this world because you were mistaken in believing that happiness was to be found in the material world.
[...]
"So be careful. If you don't want to commit [to Islam], you will suffer in this world and in the hereafter, right? There is Hell in the hereafter, but even if you don't go to Hell, you will feel regret, because you will not go to the best [level] of Paradise. The Muslim who has disobeyed by committing great sins will not have the same reward as one who has obeyed God and committed himself.
"You know that there are eight levels in Paradise, right? For the righteous, the prophets, the martyrs... Some places in Paradise are reserved. Reserved for whom? For the category of Muslims who have lived above the fray in this world. And yes, may the best ones win!
[...]
"In addition, God is going to put you aside [if you don't commit]. And He will make other people understand this message, and they will respond to [His] invitation and commit themselves.
[...]
"You, as a Muslim, do not feel like getting involved? Then you will be discarded. Others will convert, and they will carry out this religion's banner and become the defenders of Islam. Don't think that Islam will stop because you do not want to commit [to it].
[...]
"The young and the elderly. The men and the women. The rich and the poor, whether you're working or unemployed. Whatever your social status, whatever conditions you are living in, you have to give part of your time and make efforts and sacrifices for this religion.
[...]
Armed Jihad Against An External Enemy Is The Pinnacle Of Islam
"If you prefer to please human beings and displease God, then you are missing the mark. You are wrong.
[...]
"God, the Prophet [Muhammad], and jihad for the sake of Allah... If you prefer the material world, with its beauty and diversity, over God, the Prophet, jihad for the sake of Allah, and sacrifice... If you prefer this to that, then wait until God's commandment comes.
[...]
"What is the pinnacle of Islam? It is jihad for the sake of religion. Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim explained what jihad means in Islam. He said there are 13 degrees, 13 levels. The first three degrees of jihad are jihad against oneself...
[...]
"And he placed armed jihad against the external enemy at the 13th [and highest] level."
[1] Twitter.com/GDarmanin/status/1564601513086959617, August 30, 2022.
[2] See MEMRI-FR report Hassan Iquioussen, grande figure de l'UOIF: 'La vie du musulman est un effort pour répandre la miséricorde et le combat', May 20, 2013.
