Rachid Abou Houdeyfa, also known as Rachid Eljay, was hit in the abdomen

A renowned imam who angered jihadists by criticising Islamic State was shot and seriously wounded outside a mosque in the Breton port of Brest yesterday.

Rachid Abou Houdeyfa, who has one of France’s biggest social media followings for a religious leader, was hit four times in the abdomen. The man suspected of carrying out the attack shot himself dead immediately afterwards, according to police.

The attacker got out of a car and fired at the imam, who is also known as Rachid Eljay, at about 4pm as people left the mosque. A member of his congregation who was with him was hit in the leg. Muslim authorities said that the injuries were not life-threatening.

Supporters of Isis have denounced the imam as an enemy because