Hundreds of mosques across France have opened their doors to the general public in an effort to demonstrate solidarity with the victims of recent terror attacks in the country. <br /><br /> Organisers of the so-called brotherly tea parties hope to promote unity and discuss misconceptions about Islam. <br /><br /> Omar Shabani, Chairman of the Grand Mosque of Arras, said:<br />“Often Islam is badly perceived. But in fact Islam is peace, Islam is love.”<br /><br /> While Said Baoulahtit, Chairman of the Grand Mosque of Strasbourg added:<br />“We want to demonstrate that Islam is about the preaching of tolerance, peace and brotherhood.”<br /><br /> France’s leading Muslim body, the French Council of the Muslim Faith, has backed the open weekend.<br /><br /> It coincides with the first anniversary of the Charlie Hebdo and kosher supermarket attacks and comes less<br />than two months after the shootings and bombings in Paris.<br /><br /> France has since closed three mosques believed to have been “radicalising” their followers.
