Why French officials placed a Muslim war memorial in the intellectual heart of Paris in the 20th century

The Grand Mosque of Paris has stood for a century as a memorial to Muslim soldiers and a nuanced symbol of French colonialism.

By: Shannon Fogg, Missouri University of Science and Technology, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: August 26, 2026

Words: 1,210

Last Updated: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

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By Shannon Fogg, Missouri University of Science and Technology

The Paris Grand Mosque, an iconic cultural landmark located in the heart of the city, is celebrating its centenary. Built as a war memorial to honor Muslim soldiers killed during World War I, it was the first permanent mosque in the French capital and remains its only mosque built with a minaret and a dome. The story behind its construction reflects the politics of colonialism in …

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