The 12th century Saint-Jean cathedral of Lyons, southeastern France, has hundreds of gargoyles around its roof whose traditional role has been to ward off evil spirits. Since August, this seat of the Archbishop of Lyons has a new addition – a face remarkably similar to Ahmed Benzizine, a Muslim foreman who has been restoring churches and cathedrals in France for the past 37 years.
Emmanuel Fourchet, a local stone mason decided to immortalise his friend according to an age-old tradition of carving gargoyles resembling associates that stretches right back to the cathedral's construction.
"It could have been the face of a Portuguese man or anyone else but it happens to be an Algerian Muslim Arab – my friend Ahmed," he said.
However, while some have praised the initiative as a unifying "ecumenical gesture", the move has sparked cries of blasphemy among the more conservative elements of the churchgoing community who have sent angry letters of complaint.
One hardline youth group, the Jeunes identitaires Lyonnais, sent the church a statement saying: "While in many Muslim countries, the Christian faith is forbidden and Christians martyred, in Lyons, Muslims have the luxury of quite calmly taking possession of our churches with the complicity of the Catholic authorities."
"Let those who criticise it tear it down," said Mr Benzizine. "To say God is Great whether referring to Judaism, Christianity or Islam is the same thing, I don't see the problem," he said.
"Perhaps it should be taken as a symbol for young Arabs from the suburbs that to integrate you need to get involved".
Church leaders dismissed the criticism.
The cathedral's rector, Father Cacaud, said: "They didn't ask me for my explicit authorisation but when they told me about this friendly nod to Ahmed, I was very happy."
"If I took these people who are so offended by this beautiful gesture on a tour of the cathedral, I could show them gargoyles that would shock them far more," he said, "Ones that are frankly erotic."
SIC: TI/UK