The imam at the Al Badr mosque in Meaux (Seine-et-Marne) is under investigation for performing religious marriage ceremonies prior to the civil ceremonies, and for the falsely collecting unemployment assistance. Nourdine Mamoun, of French nationality, has been charged with undertaking eight illegal marriages between January 2006 and December 2007 and for unjustly receiving monthly social assistance of 930 Euros beginning in August 2007. Earlier in the week approximately 90 local Muslims in Meaux protested in support of Mamoun.
Mamoun’s lawyer, Henri Gerphagnon, indicated to the press that Mamoun did not have a work contract and was working as a volunteer imam, while receiving a few donations from among the 1000 Muslims who typically attend the mosque.
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