France Considers National School for Imam Training to Address Islamic Separatism

This mainly involves the creation of an "independent training center of the type of a national school of Muslim theology". An idea that they have revived, after the speech of the President of the Republic. On February 18, Emmanuel Macron had announced the end of the system of imams sent to France by their countries of origin. Agreements with Algeria and Morocco and talks with Turkey should make it possible to put an end to this practice by 2024. Training imams to take over in due course is therefore a major concern, reports La Croix.

The French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) is responsible for making proposals on the organization of such training. The challenge is nothing less than "the theological counter-offensive in the fight against fundamentalisms", emphasizes Florent Boudié. But "we will only be able to do this with all Muslims" he assures, adding that "nothing would be worse than this school being considered as the tool of the Republic against a part of the Muslims".

The working group also spoke out on strengthening the control of association funding and the supervision of non-contract schools. For the elected officials, it is necessary to prohibit the creation of denominational schools without prefectural authorization. They also propose the creation of a "national register that lists the names of children who have dropped out of school".

Faced with the risks of fragmentation of society, deputy Francis Chouat believes that it is time to engage in a "republican reconquest that lies in the balance between the fight against integralist drifts and the state’s commitment alongside Muslims". The objective, he points out, is not to "keep Islam at a distance from the Republic", but to "help create the conditions for Islam to be in the Republic like a fish in water".