MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to the Sud Ouest newspaper, the crowd that gathered to mourn the death of the Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray priest consists both of Christians and Muslims.
FRANCE — A Muslim woman attends a Mass in tribute to priest Jacques Hamel in the Rouen Cathedral. By @CTriballeau pic.twitter.com/Io22JAx24X
— Frédérique Geffard (@fgeffardAFP) July 31, 2016
This painting, by a Muslim believer, was offered to the Cathedral in Rouen, France, in memory of Fr. Jacques Hamel pic.twitter.com/qr6lqtUeVR
— Salt + Light (@saltandlighttv) August 2, 2016
Among those attending the ceremony is Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, the paper reported.
#francechurchattack Funeral in Rouen of Father #JacquesHamel murdered by two jihadists #AFP Photo by @CTriballeau pic.twitter.com/HvFDnoW9AW
— AFP Photo Department (@AFPphoto) August 2, 2016
Access to the cathedral, which can host up to 2,000 people, was closed an hour before the ceremony started, as the building was already full, the paper reported.
#FranceChurchAttack A policeman stands guard prior to a Mass at the Rouen Cathedral #AFP Photo by @CTriballeau pic.twitter.com/zQHgxUx3uW
— AFP Photo Department (@AFPphoto) July 27, 2016
On July 26, two armed men took five people hostage at a church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, killing the priest before themselves being taken out by French security forces. The Islamic State jihadist group, outlawed in many countries including Russia, took responsibility for the attack.
