According to LeParisien, nearly 200 people gathered in front of the Essallem Mosque, in Lyon on Friday to denounce the recent arson attacks on two Muslim places of worship and express their solidarity with the Muslim community.
The Mosque was damaged in an arson attempt on Wednesday night.
Crowds gathered including local politicians, worshippers and representatives of different faiths.
The fire destroyed the door to the entrance and the prayer room in the mosque.
The public prosecutor's office of Lyon believes the act was of a criminal origin and an investigation has been launched.
Worshippers attended Friday prayers in a local gym. «Our mosque has burnt, so we did not have other options than to use this gym for our Friday prayers which has been granted by the city. Where are we supposed to pray? We cannot use our mosque,» said one attendee.
The first of the two mosques to be damaged in a fire this week was Omar Mosque of Bron, which occurred on Friday. Both are believed to be deliberate. No arrests have been made yet.