Recent photos of girls wearing hijabs from a private school on a field trip in the French National Assembly (Wednesday, November 5) sparked a political and media uproar in France. The far-right National Rally party condemned it, and the Assembly's president itself deemed the situation "unacceptable."
But did you know that over a century ago, the French elected a Muslim parliamentarian?
He was Dr. Philippe Grenier (1865-1944) , who entered the French Parliament in the 19th century as the first Muslim French MP. He wore traditional Algerian attire—a burnous, kaftan, and turban—after winning a by-election with 51% of the vote, registering as a member of the Radical Left party.
📖 A Look Back: A Different Era for “Freedom of Belief”
Thomas Sibille , author of the book "The Place of Islam in France: Between Fantasy and Reality," explains in an interview with "Chourouk" that late 19th-century France was still influenced by the legacy of the French Revolution, where freedom of belief was considered a natural element of citizenship.
"Religion was a private matter. As long as an individual worked for the public good, their faith was not seen as an obstacle." – Thomas Sibille
Sibille adds: "Philippe Grenier was not elected because he was Muslim, but because he was a doctor close to the common people, beloved for his social commitment... His burnous was not seen as a provocation, but as a symbol of an experience he lived in Algeria that profoundly changed him."
Comparing then to now, Sibille sees a shift in perception: "Islam is no longer seen just as a religion; it has become an identity marker, often linked in the media to international politics, security, and immigration. This change in perspective doesn't come from Islam itself, but from the surrounding political climate."
"Grenier's era reminds us that one could be both Muslim and fully French without it posing any problem."
👨⚕️ The Doctor of the Poor: The Story Behind the Scenes
• The Turning Point: What changed Grenier's outlook on life was a visit to his brother in the Algerian city of Blida. There, he was shocked by the widespread poverty and the mistreatment of Algerian Muslims by the French authorities. His communication with local Muslims and his admiration for their values led him to convert to Islam.
• His Base in Pontarlier: Grenier settled as a doctor in this town in 1889, earning a reputation as the "doctor of the poor." He became a municipal councilor, focusing his campaigns on public health and social welfare.
• Entering Parliament: He was elected Deputy on December 20, 1896. Although his parliamentary term lasted only about 15 months, his seriousness quickly silenced any mockery of his persona.
• Striking Contradictions: His presence was a unique phenomenon: a Muslim in the heart of a very Catholic region, and a campaigner against alcohol in a country famous for Absinthe.
"He only held his seat for about fifteen months, but his seriousness quickly silenced the mockery... He was distinguished by his concern for the humble and issues related to national defense." – The official website of Pontarlier municipality
🔔A Message for Today: A Bridge Between Two Shores
Thomas Sibille believes Grenier's story carries an important message that remains relevant:
A Bridge of Humanity: "His story shows that the relationship between the French and Algerians wasn't always one of conflict or misunderstanding... Conversion to Islam can stem from admiration and friendship, not from a rupture."
Possible Compatibility: "His path reminds us that a bridge is possible between the two shores of the Mediterranean, whenever each side looks at the other without fear."
A Republic-Compatible Islam: "Islam in France was never inherently in opposition with the Republic. What has changed are the political interpretations, not the compatibility between the two."
❓ Why Has He Been Forgotten?
On why so few people know about Philippe Grenier today, Sibille answers that he "disturbs the dominant narratives."
"It refutes the idea that Islam is necessarily foreign, and shows that a French person can embrace Islam without abandoning their culture or their Republican commitment. Philippe Grenier is a living antithesis to the simplifications prevalent in contemporary debates. Such models are rarely highlighted today, but his very existence reminds us that other paths are possible—quiet, rational, profound paths—and they have already existed."
🕊️ Epilogue: The Legacy of an Extraordinary Man
Philippe Grenier died on March 25, 1944, and was mourned by a large crowd of his town's inhabitants. He is remembered as a good man, a sincere believer, and a devoted doctor.
Until not long ago, some elderly residents of Pontarlier still spoke of that man with a white beard, dressed in his burnous and kaftan, who would ride through the neighborhoods on his horse—not as a political symbol, but as a testament to a time when "faith was a private matter, and service to the common good was what truly counted."