As France grapples with widespread protests encompassing student demands for better education and broader discontent over the cost of living, an unusual rallying cry has emerged: “Bismillah, c’est les ténèbres.” This unofficial slogan, adopted by students, has become a vehicle for expressing a range of grievances central to the ongoing protest movement.

The phrase is perceived by students as a deliberate mockery of racial stereotyping attributed to the police. It gained traction following the circulation of a social media screenshot in early October, purportedly showing undercover officers attempting to infiltrate protest communication channels. The message, sent by a user named Mamadou, included the phrase “Hi, in the name of God, it’s the darkness. When’s the blockade, wallah, bro?” alongside Algerian flag emojis, which students interpreted as an unconvincing attempt to blend Arabic and slang.

While hundreds of thousands have demonstrated nationwide in recent weeks, fueled by issues like overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, systemic inequality, and perceived police misconduct, this particular chant has resonated deeply. The French police inspectorate, IGPN, has reportedly launched dozens of investigations into allegations of police violence since the protests began.

Linguistically, “Bismillah” is an Arabic phrase meaning “in the name of God,” commonly used by Muslims before undertaking an activity. In contemporary French slang, it has evolved to signify something akin to “let’s do it.” The phrase “c’est les ténèbres” translates literally to “it’s the darkness,” suggesting a bleak or hopeless situation. Combined, the slogan “In the name of God, it’s the darkness” lacks a clear, literal meaning, which is precisely why it has been repurposed by protesters.

Sociologists suggest the slogan’s power lies in its ambiguity and its perceived origin. Youssef El Chazli, an associate professor at Paris 8 University Vincennes – Saint-Denis, noted that the phrase “reinforces an image of out-of-touch authorities trying to understand or infiltrate protest movements.” The students’ interpretation is that the police, in their attempt to infiltrate, employed a clumsy and stereotypical blend of religious and colloquial language, thereby becoming the subject of ridicule themselves.

This protest movement, one of the largest mobilizations in France in recent memory, highlights a confluence of issues extending beyond educational reform. Concerns about the rising cost of living and broader societal inequalities are also significant drivers, with the slogan serving as a unifying, albeit unconventional, symbol for diverse discontent.

The claim regarding undercover police activity has not been officially verified, and French authorities have not issued a public statement addressing the incident or the slogan’s origin. This lack of official comment or clarification leaves the students’ narrative largely unchallenged within the protest sphere.

The adoption of “Bismillah, c’est les ténèbres” illustrates how protest movements can adapt and repurpose language, turning perceived surveillance and stereotyping tactics into potent symbols of resistance and solidarity against systemic issues.