The Hidden Side of the Halal Certification Scandal of the Grand Mosque of Paris Before Justice, and Algeria Trembles

Recently, a controversy—if not a full-blown scandal and disgrace—has emerged regarding the Grand Mosque of Paris, just as Franco-Algerian relations reached their peak of deterioration.

The Halal Certification Scandal

This certification theoretically applies only to food products containing meat. In fact, slaughtered animals must undergo a halal ritual certified by an imam. For reference, halal certification also excludes food products that contain alcohol.
Thus, food products manufactured in a non-Muslim country and intended for export to Algeria must receive halal approval.

But if the halal label only concerns food products, why did the Grand Mosque of Paris add cosmetic products to its list, even though they are not subject to this certification?

Renowned Islamic scholar Ghaleb Bencheikh affirms that “scriptural sources do not mandate the halal labeling as applied by the Grand Mosque of Paris,” adding that “halal certification for products such as cosmetics is a complete theological absurdity.”

Is the Halal Certification by the Grand Mosque of Paris Truly Halal? Or Is It Actually Haram?

On January 20, 2025, under the title “Halal Certifications: The Shady Business of the Grand Mosque of Paris,” the newspaper L’Opinion published a highly embarrassing investigation into the mosque, highlighting its opacity and, to put it bluntly, its highly suspicious operational methods.

L’Opinion likely never imagined the violent reaction of the Algerian regime, which clearly does not appreciate criticism, even when entirely legitimate.

Thus, the Algerian rector of the mosque, Chems-Eddine Hafiz, hastened to denounce what he called “an unprecedented media campaign” against the Grand Mosque of Paris.

Yet, the rector would have been wise to keep a low profile, as the “business-oriented excesses” that have clearly been identified seem overwhelming.

L’Opinion is a serious news outlet, so when it states:

• “A monopolistic halal certification system is being run by the Grand Mosque of Paris with the support of the Algerian authorities,” it means the newspaper possesses solid evidence.
• When it reports that “the halal label functions as a mandatory tax imposed on all European Union products exported to Algeria, generating millions of euros for the Algerian regime in 2024,” it is because it has reliable sources.
• Finally, when L’Opinion concludes that “French authorities were not informed of the implementation of a mechanism supposedly designed to finance Islamic worship, while the destination of the millions of euros collected remains unclear,” adding “this raises questions,” it is because the newspaper has every right to investigate where this money is going.

Legal Accusations of Extortion

Additionally, according to the Journal du Dimanche of January 20, 2025, which cites Member of Parliament Matthias Renault, who has just referred the matter to the Public Prosecutor under Article 40 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the system established by the Grand Mosque of Paris could be considered extortion under Article 312-1 of the Penal Code. If proven, this crime carries a penalty of seven years in prison and a €100,000 fine.

Repercussions on Algeria’s Image and That of Muslims

Unfortunately, this scandal will not only tarnish Algeria’s image but also, more importantly, the image of all Muslims, who did not need to become collateral victims of a regime with no limits in its schemes for financial gain.