C & # XE9; r & # XE9; naturalization ceremony Lassana Bathily 20 January 2015.
Lassana naturalization ceremony Bathily 20 January 2015 – D.Bancaud

Delphine Bancaud

The walk and relaxed as Lassana Bathily black suit and white shirt, arrived Tuesday at the Ministry of Interior for his naturalization ceremony. No doubt, he was a young man of 24 not aware of having become a symbol since 9 January. That day, the employee Hyper Hide Vincennes helped save the lives of customers taken hostage by Amédy Coulibaly, the author of the shooting of Montrouge.

A sentence -t he walked a few meters a swarm of photographers continues. Astonished and looked a little embarrassed, Lassana hurried on. When it enters the ceremony room three quarters of an hour later, his shyness has not left. Standing in front of an audience of ministers (Christiane Taubira, Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, in particular), former ministers (Cécile Duflot, Pierre Joxe), celebrities (Lilian Thuram) and religious representatives, he throws a few glances surreptitiously to his family and to his friends, came in numbers to support it.

“You are the symbol of an Islam of peace”


 
 
Lassana naturalization ceremony Bathily 20 January 2015 – D.Bancaud

In front of the French flag, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve makes tribute to the “cool” the young man, the last 9 January when he hid some hostages in the cold room of the supermarket “deceiving the vigilance of the killer.” His efforts to inform the police are also welcomed. “It’s one of those men whose courage, coolness, altruism are revealed in moments of great peril,” said the Minister. Each compliment, Lassana, crossed hands, down a little more eyes. At his side, Prime Minister Manuel Valls will not depart from his smile. “You are the symbol of an Islam of peace and tolerance,” says the Minister Lassana before a silent audience emotion.

A speech that is also an opportunity for the Minister Interior honor the immigrants in France “unsung heroes of the thirty glorious years”. “You would have been naturalized even if you had not done this act of bravery,” added the minister. “This dream a reality just a little earlier than expected.” The words then give way to gestures, Manuel Valls Lassana delivering to a letter from François Hollande, a medal and a French passport. The young man receives solemnly. Prior to speak in a low voice and sometimes hesitant.



“My heart has spoken and made me act”

“Tonight I am very proud and moved, “he says. “I am not a hero, I am Lassana. My heart has spoken and made me act. There is no community issue, “he humbly says. But it is when he talks about his friend and colleague, Yohan Cohen, one of the victims of the Hyper hide the emotion Lassana is truly palpable: “I lost someone I loved very much” , he breath, knowing that in the room, sit some of his colleagues and his boss Hyper hide. “Long live freedom and vive la France,” he says by way of late. Words that trigger a thunderous applause. Then the audience stands up.

Obviously rang, Lassana is then presented to several personalities. It makes the kiss Najat Vallaud-Belkacem and serves every hand offered to her. A few yards away, an old man in djellaba looks lost in the crowd. This is the grandfather Lassana. When asked how he feels at that moment, it outlines a slight smile before replying, “It is a country that is not too racist. It’s been fifty-four years that I’m here and it’s never happened to me anything wrong. “