The Great Mosque of Paris has published a substantial 900-page digital guide that seeks to tackle misconceptions about Islam and promote a coherent Muslim presence in Western societies. This effort is motivated by the mosque's desire to counteract what it describes as 'hate speeches' and to challenge the notion that Islam is fundamentally incompatible with Western values. However, the initiative may also be seen as an attempt to position itself as a leading voice in an overwhelmingly diverse landscape of Muslim representation in France.

Despite its ambitious goals, the guide has drawn attention for its potential affiliations with the Muslim Brotherhood, an organization that is often scrutinized and politicized in both secular and religious contexts. Critics have raised concerns about the mosque's claim to authority, considering that it represents only a small fraction of the 2,600 Muslim places of worship in France, and they question whether the content is sufficiently representative of the broader Muslim community's views. The rector of the mosque, Chems-eddine Hafi, has defended the project as a necessary step to clarify misunderstandings about Islam.

This publication could have significant implications for the dynamics of Muslim identity in France, particularly in terms of how Muslims navigate their presence within a predominantly secular society. As the guide attempts to define citizenship for Muslims in the West, it opens up discussions around religious identity, societal integration, and the challenges of articulation in a complex socio-political landscape. The mosque's approach may influence future conversations about Islam's place in Europe, especially as various factions within the Muslim community continue to engage in discussions about representation and authority.