According to Jan Šmíd, a correspondent of the Czech Television in France, a number of imams are accommodating at the request for elaboration, but they are waiting for a response from the entire council. Macron wants imams to clearly distance themselves from terrorist attacks, but also to use influence and prevent those who encourage radicalization and share threats to the Christian community on the Internet and call for terrorist attacks.
“There are many organizations in France that do not subscribe to the country’s republican values. Women can’t go there as if they were playing by their own rules. The government wants these organizations to have as little influence as possible and not to have funds from the state budget. Those who openly support extremism should be abolished, “describes Šmíd.
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Preachers should be accredited
The drafting of a specific text of the charter is now up to the CFCM, but Macron has made clear what he expects. The document should enshrine the rejection of political Islam and any foreign interference.
The so-called National Council of Imams should also be established within six months. According to published information, preachers are expected to have official accreditation. They would only get this after committing to the charter and the code of ethics. They would also have to prove their qualifications, including a fluent knowledge of French. In case of problems, it would then be possible to withdraw the accreditation. “If someone does not sign this charter, we will draw the consequences,” Macron warned.
Due to the separation of state power from ecclesiastical power, which was enacted in France in 1905, the proposal is fundamentally challenged. “The state cannot create a ‘worthy Islam’ because it cannot create any Islam; it is not up to him to decide on imams, just as it does not decide on priests or rabbis, “the French media quoted Marwan Mohamed, a well-known anti-Islamophobia activist.
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As early as October, Macron announced that some three hundred imams from countries such as Turkey, Morocco and Algeria, who now work in France, were considered undesirable and intended to be expelled from the country over the next four years. In his speech, he also said that religion is in a global crisis and promised to rid it of “foreign influences” in France. The statement provoked a storm in a number of Muslim countries, but the Elysee Palace has only intensified its efforts since then.
Other bloody incidents at the end of last month contributed to this. First, the death of high school teacher Samuel Paty, who was murdered by a young Muslim for cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, which the educator used to explain freedom of speech. A week later, an attack followed in Nice with three dead.
Attempts to bring Islam under greater control through centralized institutions have already been made by Macron’s predecessors.
Next steps
Prime Minister Jean Castex has announced that the government will prepare a bill to better protect civil servants and punish more severely all those who attack them. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin again ordered the closure of a mosque in the northern Paris suburb of Pantin for six months. She posted a video on Facebook calling for action against teacher Paty.
The minister also wants to ban all NGOs that want to circumvent France’s secular principles. About fifty of them want to check. But the authorities must show that they are spreading religious hatred and celebrating terrorism.
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