France, July 19 -- Built to honour Muslim troops who died in the First World War, the Grand Mosque was officially opened on 15 July, 1926, at a time when France still ruled over a vast colonial empire that included swathes of Africa and the Middle East.

It remains the largest mosque in France and a prominent symbol of the country's roughly 5 million Muslim residents.

Hafiz, an Algerian-born lawyer, has been its rector since January 2020.

RFI: The Grand Mosque was inaugurated in the era of colonialism. Today, it aims to be fully integrated within France's republican system. How do you view this development?

Chems-Eddine Hafiz: The Paris Mosque already became fully part of the French Republic when it was inaugurated. When this mosque wa...