After a week of riots, religious leaders in France appeal for peace and justice

RELIGIOUS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – The leaders of the Conference of Religious Leaders in France, representing Muslim, Jewish, Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant and Buddhist communities appealed for peace and justice.

In their issued statement, they condemned the violence.

Also, the Muslim community in Nanterre, a suburb of Paris, gathered on Saturday for the funeral of Nahel Merzouk, aged 17, who was shot dead by a police officer during a traffic stop last week.

Hundreds lined the route to the cemetery as the hearse processed through the streets. His death has triggered days of rioting and looting across France which have left hundreds injured and arrested.

The shooting has reignited complaints of police violence and systemic racism, which President Emmanuel Macron has denied.