Second Muslim School in Décines-Charpieu Closed by Rhône Prefecture Amidst Safety Concerns
Lyon, January 17, 2026 – The Rhône Prefecture has ordered the emergency closure of a second Muslim school, ‘La Réussite,’ in Décines-Charpieu, a commune within the Lyon metropolitan area. This decision, following the earlier closure of the private school Al-Kindi in the same locality, was announced after an inspection revealed significant administrative failings and potential risks to the health and safety of minors.
The closure order, which actu Lyon confirmed after consulting the document, dates back to December 30, 2025. It was issued in response to a control conducted on December 17 by agents from the Departmental Service for Youth, Engagement, and Sports (SDJES). The prefecture highlighted “administrative shortcomings” and “risks to the physical or moral health and safety of minors presented by their reception conditions.”
Administrative Issues and Unregistered Premises
The school, ‘La Réussite,’ hosted by the Grande Mosquée de Décines, provided Islamic education, Quranic studies, and Arabic language learning to 72 children aged 8 to 11 weekly. Annual tuition for these services was 350 euros.
The inspection uncovered several critical issues, including the absence of a legal status for the collective reception of minors for educational purposes (ACM), the non-declaration of the premises used to accommodate the children, and a lack of “health monitoring documents” verifying the vaccination status of both minors and staff members.
According to the order signed by Rhône Prefect Fabienne Buccio, “Due to the urgency, the implementation of the prior contradictory procedure is not feasible.” The school will remain closed “until corrective measures are implemented” and before any new inspection by state services allows for its resumption of activity.
Mosque Under Scrutiny and Community Reaction
The Décines mosque, to which ‘La Réussite’ school is affiliated, was previously mentioned in a May 2025 report on the Muslim Brotherhood presented to Emmanuel Macron’s Defense Council. This adds another layer of complexity to the current situation.
Azzedine Gaci, rector of the Othmane mosque in Villeurbanne, criticized the prefectural order, stating on Facebook that “For the Council of Mosques of the Rhône (CMR), this matter highlights a persistent legal ambiguity concerning the status of religious educational structures welcoming minors within mosques, leaving ample room for interpretation.” He further added, “Associative and religious leaders believe that the absence of a precise framework exposes Muslim educational structures to legal and administrative insecurity, while families face the brutal suspension of an education for which no comparable institutional alternative exists.”
The Grande Mosquée de Décines has not yet issued an official statement regarding the closure of its school.
This incident underscores the ongoing scrutiny of religious educational institutions in France and the challenges they face in navigating administrative and regulatory requirements.
