Lyon prepares to cut off the roots of extremism as controversy over a Muslim Brotherhood preacher resurfaces

Amid growing calls in France to ban the Muslim Brotherhood, controversy is once again intensifying in Lyon over the participation of a preacher described by local authorities as extremist in an event linked to the Brotherhood.

As was the case last year, debates are flaring up around the “Back to the Roots” event, whose 2026 edition is expected to host preacher Vincent Souleymane, affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, in the municipality of Meyzieu, located in the eastern suburbs of Lyon in southeastern France.

Although a new mayor has taken office in the city, the general policy toward the conference has not changed, nor has the controversy that erupted last year subsided.

Preacher Vincent Souleymane had already sparked the same controversy last year, particularly after French state authorities described him as “a Salafist preacher linked to the Muslim Brotherhood and known for his controversial positions.”

One of his conferences had already been banned in Lyon by the prefecture in 2023. His lectures are also regularly prohibited because of statements considered “contrary to the values of the Republic,” in addition to the risk of “disturbing public order.”

In 2025, the former mayor of Meyzieu, Christophe Quiniou, issued an order banning the “Back to the Roots” event. However, it was later authorized after the organizers appealed the decision before the administrative court, which overturned the municipal ban.

Currently, the new mayor, Issam Benzghiba, elected last March, is preparing to issue a similar ban. Sources close to him told Le Figaro that he is coordinating with the Rhône prefecture to draft a stricter legal text in anticipation of any possible appeal.

Suspicious statements

According to the French newspaper, state authorities are currently assessing the risks of disturbances to public order, according to sources within the prefecture. The newspaper also indicated that the decision is expected to be issued within the next few hours.

One of the mayor’s close associates told the newspaper that “the decision will be based on the risks of disturbing public order and on statements that contradict the values of the Republic.”

Lyon mayor Grégory Doucet, a member of the Green Party, had already cited the same reasons in 2023 to ban a lecture by the preacher at the “Centre Tawhid Bookstore,” a center known in the region for its links to the Muslim Brotherhood.

At the time, the city of Lyon and the Rhône prefecture insisted that “the preacher’s statements could be interpreted as incitement to hatred against Israel, as well as against both Jewish and Arab leaders,” adding that “he also disseminates conspiracy-related statements.”