An attempted arson attack targeted a Muslim prayer room in Châtillon-sur-Seine (Côte-d'Or) during the night from Thursday to Friday, August 15. France's Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, took to social media to denounce the incident, describing it as «an anti-Muslim act of great cowardice». Local media reported that the department's prefecture revealed lit pamphlets were found wedged in the entrance door. The situation could have escalated into a tragedy if not for the swift actions of passersby who managed to extinguish the flames. In an interview with France 3 Bourgogne Franche-Comté, the town's mayor, Roland Lemaire, condemned the act, calling it criminal. «The door is slightly blackened. But symbolically, it is unacceptable», he asserted. Meanwhile, Le Parisien reported that, according to the gendarmerie, the incident occurred around 9:15 PM on Thursday evening, with newspapers being used to ignite the fire «in front of the prayer room». Last night in Châtillon-sur-Seine, individuals attempted to set fire to a Muslim prayer room. My thoughts are with the faithful affected by this anti-Muslim act of great cowardice. — Bruno Retailleau (@BrunoRetailleau) August 15, 2025 The religious leader of the prayer room intends to file a complaint. At present, there is no information available regarding the suspect or suspects involved.
