France enforces secularism rigidly, excluding religion from public life and social systems. This has created a hostile environment for many Muslims, filled with numerous challenges. To overcome these difficulties, many Muslims have turned to digital applications, which have provided practical solutions.
Sunna Files Website investigated how Muslims in France are using digital apps to navigate the challenges posed by strict secularism.
Several apps and online platforms now offer services aligned with Islamic law, generating significant profits in the process.
Islamic Marriages
Walid, a young man in his 30s, shared his personal experience of finding a like-minded spouse through an Islamic marriage app in France. He said: “The app saved me a lot of time, effort, and money. Six months into our marriage, I’m very happy and satisfied with my choice.”
Speaking to sources, Walid explained that, following a colleague’s advice and with his parents’ blessings, he found his life partner on a digital Islamic platform specializing in marriage.
“In a strictly secular environment, I couldn’t think of a better way to find someone who shares our Islamic values,” he said. “Nowadays, it’s increasingly difficult to meet a spouse who is committed to our Islamic principles in a society that marginalizes and opposes them.”
He added, “Civil marriages also come with numerous procedural and administrative complications.”
One of the most popular Islamic marriage platforms, Inshallah.com, offers comprehensive details about Islamic marriage contracts while discussing the shortcomings of certain civil contracts.
The platform, frequented by thousands of young French Muslims, compares civil solidarity pacts (PACS) with Islamic contracts and emphasizes the importance of marriage in Islam. It provides a simplified yet Sharia-compliant explanation of Islamic marriage contracts, citing religious texts, scholars’ opinions, and fatwas.
Muslims in France: Official Restrictions
Under the pretext of protecting the values of the republic, French authorities have, in recent years, actively opposed Islamic marriages by issuing regulations prohibiting mosque imams from overseeing Islamic marriage contracts before a civil marriage at a municipality.
One imam from Saint-Ouen, Paris, speaking anonymously to Arabi Post, said, “I have stopped officiating Islamic marriage ceremonies due to fear of legal troubles, especially as surveillance on mosques and those running them has intensified.”
It is estimated that there are around 5.5 million Muslims in France, making Islam the second-largest religion in the country after Christianity. Muslims account for over 10% of the French population, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies.
The “Muzz” App
One of the most popular Islamic marriage apps in France and globally is Muzz (formerly known as Muzmatch), which boasts 10 million members worldwide, according to its developers.
Founded in 2015 in the United Kingdom, Muzz made France one of its first target markets due to the country’s legal framework and its large Muslim community.
The platform facilitates initial meetings for prospective spouses while ensuring the presence of a mahram (guardian) and prohibiting physical contact.
The app features more than 9 million users across 190 countries and claims to have facilitated “500,000 successful marriages,” according to its data.
It also includes an advanced search engine with various filters to help users specify the qualities they are seeking in a partner.
Privacy Concerns
Privacy is a significant concern with Islamic marriage apps. While these platforms claim to offer more privacy than general dating sites, many users remain cautious.
To address these concerns, users often opt for pseudonyms or refrain from uploading personal photos. This caution was heightened in late 2018, when Muzz suffered a data breach, exposing the personal details of 150,000 users.
The hack resulted in leaked passwords and sensitive information, including religious sects, ethnicities, and private conversations between users.
Revenue and Profits
Like many other apps, Islamic marriage platforms rely heavily on advertisements for additional revenue, often earning millions of dollars annually.
Many platforms also offer paid subscriptions, either monthly or yearly, generating estimated revenues between $10 million and $20 million annually.
Another significant income stream comes from app downloads. Islamic marriage apps have seen substantial increases in downloads in recent years. For instance, the Muslima app has surpassed 100 million downloads across various app stores (Google Play, App Store).
Halal Food Apps
In the food sector, several apps specialize in providing products free of pork and alcohol while offering meat slaughtered according to Islamic standards.
“Yassir”
Yassir is one of the most prominent apps catering to Muslims. It focuses on delivering halal food and allows users to select restaurants that adhere to Islamic dietary laws. The app provides detailed information about the ingredients and sources of the food.
According to the platform, Yassir has 8 million users.
“Halal Guide”
Another app, Halal Guide, offers a directory of halal restaurants in various French cities, particularly Paris, Marseille, and other major metropolitan areas.
The app helps users locate restaurants, cafes, and shops that comply with halal practices.
Halal Finance Apps
“Wahed Invest”
Often referred to as the “Muslim stock market,” Wahed Invest enables users to invest according to Islamic principles. It offers a range of Sharia-compliant investment options, avoiding prohibited transactions such as interest (riba).
“Finom”
Finom is a financial accounting app designed for Muslims who want to manage their finances in line with Islamic law. It focuses on providing halal payment and transfer options.
Halal Tourism and Shopping Apps
Halal Trip is a comprehensive guide for Muslim travelers worldwide, offering information on halal-friendly destinations, including hotels, restaurants, and attractions that align with Islamic values. The app boasts millions of subscribers.
Meanwhile, HalalBox is an online shopping app that offers halal products, including clothing, supplements, cosmetics, and food. It has hundreds of thousands of users, enabling Muslims to shop for goods that meet Sharia standards.
In accordance with Sunna Files Website guidelines, we use anonymous sources only for information verified through at least two reliable sources. Please understand that these sources often fear for their jobs or personal safety.
