The Mayor, the Teacher and a Fight over a ‘Lost Territory’ of France

A battle erupted after a high-school teacher said that Islamists had taken over the city of Trappes, a view vigorously countered by the mayor, sharpening a national debate over French identity.

TRAPPES, France — It all began when a high-school teacher warned that Islamists had taken over the city. The teacher went on TV, issuing alarms from inside what he called a “lost city” of the French Republic. In Trappes, he said, he feared for his life. “Trappes, it’s finished,” the teacher said. “They’ve won.” The mayor, a strong believer in the Republic, saw the teacher on television and didn’t recognize the city he described. He knew his city, west of Paris and with a growing population of immigrants and Muslims, had problems but thought it was being falsely maligned. The mayor also happened to be a Muslim.