PARIS, Oct. 22 -- A phrase blending Arabic and French slang has become an unlikely symbol of youth dissent in France, where protests over education, living costs and inequality have also fuelled criticism of police conduct and racial stereotyping.

The chant "Bismillah, c'est les tenebres" has gained traction as protesters ridicule what they see as a clumsy attempt by police to imitate young demonstrators, Al Jazeera reported.

The phrase first attracted attention after a screenshot of a Snapchat exchange circulated online in early October, showing a user called Mamadou asking to join a group chat used to coordinate protest activity.

The message read: "Hi, in the name of God, it's the darkness. When's the blockade, wallah, bro?" and incl...