French Muslim Councils File Legal Complaint Against Ifop Survey Alleging Anti-Muslim Hatred

Legal Action Initiated Against Controversial Ifop Survey

Several French Muslim councils have formally lodged a legal complaint against a recent Ifop survey, asserting that its findings misrepresent religious practices and contribute to a climate of anti-Muslim hatred in France. The complaint was filed on Monday, November 24, at the Paris judicial court against an unknown party ('plainte contre X'), and prosecutors have since launched a preliminary investigation into the matter.

The survey, titled 'État des lieux du rapport à l'islam et à l'islamisme des musulmans de France' (Assessment of the relationship to Islam and Islamism among Muslims in France), was released on November 18 and commissioned by the magazine Ecran de veille. It purports to show a growing 're-Islamisation' among French Muslims, particularly among younger demographics, highlighting what it describes as 'more radical' behaviors such as increased prayer frequency, Ramadan observance, and the wearing of the veil.

Allegations of Bias and Methodological Flaws

The legal action was brought by the departmental councils of Muslim worship in Loiret, Aube, Bouches-du-Rhône, and Seine-et-Marne. These councils, represented by lawyers Raphaël Kempf and Romain Ruiz, contend that the Ifop survey 'violates the principle of objectivity' mandated by France's 1977 law on opinion polling. They argue that the poll utilized 'leading questions' and disproportionately emphasized minority responses 'for polemical purposes,' thereby reinforcing harmful stereotypes.

Lawyers Kempf and Ruiz characterized Ecran de veille as a 'nebulous and reactionary organisation,' stating that the study 'spreads the poison of hatred in the public sphere.' The French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) had previously voiced strong criticism of the survey on November 20, describing it as 'yet another attempt to stigmatize French citizens of Muslim faith and their religious practices' and pointing out 'numerous methodological biases.'

Context of Rising Anti-Muslim Incidents

The complaint emerges amidst a documented increase in anti-Muslim acts across France. According to data from the Interior Ministry, anti-Muslim incidents rose by 75% compared with 2024. The Muslim councils assert that the Ifop survey exacerbates this hostile environment by amplifying narratives often promoted by far-right media outlets. They declared the poll to be 'an insult to Muslims in France and an affront to the values of equality and fraternity promoted by our Republic.'

The CFCM also highlighted specific inconsistencies within the survey's findings, such as the claim that 35% of Muslims attend Friday prayers, equating to approximately two million people. The council noted that this figure is incompatible with the estimated maximum capacity of mosques in France, which is reportedly under 500,000 worshippers. Despite the criticisms, Ifop has defended its study, describing it as 'exceptional in its historical scope and methodological robustness.'