Ismail Smaïn Bendjilali

Ismail Smaïn Bendjilali, known as Imam Ismail, is a prominent religious figure associated with the mosquée des Bleuets in Marseille. He gained notoriety for being sentenced to six months in prison with a suspended sentence for promoting terrorism online, following a retweet linked to the October 2023 attack in Israel. Despite his legal troubles, he has maintained a significant following in the North Marseille community, particularly among young Muslims, due to his adept use of social media. His recent completion of a degree in secularism was aimed at keeping the mosque open amidst threats of closure from local authorities, who cite ongoing concerns about radical publications associated with him.