2024-04-24 09:08:10
France no longer wants to depend on foreign imams working in the country. This is why he asked for help from Morocco for the training of imams, declared the French Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, following a meeting with the Minister of Habous and Islamic Affairs, Ahmed. Taoufiq.
In a context where France seeks to strengthen its religious independence, the French government has requested Morocco’s expertise for the training of imams. This approach is part of a desire to put an end to dependence on foreign imams and to promote an Islam in line with republican values.
Gérald Darmanin, French Minister of the Interior, expressed this request during a meeting with his counterpart, Ahmed Taoufiq, Minister of Habous and Islamic Affairs. This meeting was an opportunity to discuss the future of Islam in France and the need to train Muslim religious leaders locally.
President Emmanuel Macron supports this initiative, aimed at preventing any foreign influence on the French Muslim community. Cooperation with Morocco, described as “excellent” by Darmanin, might serve as a model for the training of imams, drawing inspiration from Moroccan practices which promote moderate Islam.
Since the 1980s, Morocco has been a key partner of France in the supply of imams. However, the new French policy, effective since January, prohibits the sending of imams by other countries. Imams in office must now be employed by French mosques, which will assume responsibility for their recruitment and remuneration.
For the Muslim community in France, this policy represents a double facet. On the one hand, it offers the opportunity to have religious leaders better integrated into the French social and cultural context. On the other hand, it might be interpreted as an attempt at state control over religious practices, which might arouse mixed reactions, particularly from far-right activists, who are gaining strength and risk creating an outcry following this news. of President Macron regarding religion.
However, the end of the seconded imam system means that local mosques will have greater responsibility for recruiting and training their imams. This might encourage greater autonomy and better governance of Muslim institutions in France. However, it also requires Muslim communities to adapt to new norms and find resources to finance these changes.
The meeting between Darmanin and Taoufiq aimed to clarify the French position, motivated by security issues and cultural considerations. In September, France will unveil the outlines of this “local training” of imams, thus marking a step towards a “purely French” Islam.
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