Muslims In France Refuse To Bury Priest Killer

Muslims in France have refused to bury the jihadist who killed a priest in Normandy earlier this month.

Adel Kermiche, 19, was one of 2 men who entered a church in Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray and held a group hostage before slitting the throat of Father Jacques Hamel and seriously wounding another captive.

An undated photo shows the parish of Saint-Etienne. French priest, Father Jacques Hamel of the parish of Saint-Etienne was killed, and another person was seriously wounded after two assailants took five people hostage in the church at Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray near Rouen in Normandy, France, July 26, 2016 in an attack on a church that was carried out by assailants linked to Islamic State. Photo Courtesy of Diocese de Rouen via Reuters NO SALES. NO ARCHIVES. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED BY REUTERS AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS.

Community leaders in the town said they do not want to ‘taint’ Islam by having any association with Kermiche.

Mohammed Karabila, president of the local Muslim cultural association and imam of one of the local mosques, said:We’re not going to taint Islam with this person.” Adding, ”we won’t participate in preparing the body or the burial.

Khalid El Amrani, a Muslim who lives in the town, said that what Kermiche had done ”was sinful”.

He is no longer part of the community,” he said.

Kermiche and Abdel-Malik Petitjean, also 19, entered the 17th-century church on July 26.

Adel Kermiche (left) and Abdel-Malik Petitjean (right)
Adel Kermiche (left) and Abdel-Malik Petitjean (right)

They were shot dead by police as they left the church using nuns as human shields.

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