France Expands Imam Training Program with New Al-Ghazali Institute Branch

The annex of this Institute for the training of imams has taken shape in the Essalam mosque, managed by the Association of Islamic Communities of Les Mureaux (ACIM). It is a matter of "making up for this serious lack of training of imams in France, with the upcoming inauguration of annexes in Lille, Lyon and Marseille," declares Chems-Eddine Hafiz, the rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris. For him, the reorganization of the training of religious leaders, currently provided by Al-Ghazali, will be a reality, so as to train immediately operational imams, indicates Saphirnews.

The training of imams is an integral part of the priorities of the French state for Islam. This is evidenced by the interview on Thursday, February 13, between the president of the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM), Mohammed Moussaoui, and the Minister of the Interior, Christophe Castaner, during which Muslim files were combed through.

"The initial and continuing training of religious leaders on its secular and theological aspects has also been at the center of this interview," the CFCM said in a statement. Also, this absolute privilege for Islam in France must be based on a better concordance between university education and the training provided in institutes with a Muslim vocation.

The presence of the sub-prefect of the Yvelines, Gérard Dérouin, and the president of the Council of Muslim Institutions of the Yvelines (CIMY), Ould Kherroubi, was also noted during the said ceremony, the same source specifies.