French mosque’s symbolism varies with beholder

Marseille Journal, New York Times: “The large new mosque, which its builders call ‘the symbol of Marseillais Islam,’ is a source of pride here in France’s second-largest city, which is at least 25 percent Muslim. But it is also cause for alarm, Mr. Geisser said, embodying the paradox that visible signs of integration set off xenophobic anxiety. ‘All these symbols reveal a deeper, more lasting presence of Islam,’ he said. ‘It’s the passage of something temporary to something that is implanted and takes root.’”