As Ramadan 2026 approaches in France, a Muslim consumer organisation has urged mosque leaders to exercise strict ethical judgment over who is welcomed to communal iftars, warning against inviting figures who have publicly endorsed Israel’s military actions. The call frames places of worship as spaces that must remain free from political normalisation of violence, particularly amid what the organisation describes as a continuing genocidal war against Palestinians.

In a statement released weeks before the fast, expected to begin in mid-February, the group cautioned that religious venues risk being used to launder political positions through symbolism and ceremony. It argued that hosting supporters of Israel’s army risks trivialising grave abuses against civilians and undermines the moral foundations of Ramadan, a period traditionally associated with restraint, solidarity and attentiveness to oppressed peoples.

The organisation recalled that similar invitations during the previous Ramadan had sparked anger within congregations, saying such gestures conflicted with core religious principles. It also pointed to a recent event planned at a major Paris mosque involving a religious figure known for backing Israel’s military, describing that participation as incompatible with the ethical values of Muslim worship spaces.

The statement further rejected the use of “interfaith dialogue” as a shield for excusing harm to civilians. Dialogue, it argued, cannot become a moral cover for those who legitimise the killing of innocents during a genocidal war, nor should it blur the line between spiritual exchange and political endorsement.

Emphasising that mosques are meant for reflection and devotion rather than political messaging, the organisation concluded by urging leaders to refuse invitations to anyone who has defended or justified the deaths of Palestinians, regardless of status or faith. Communal iftars, it said, should embody conscience as much as hospitality.