French Mosques Respond to Constitutional Council’s Ruling on Separatism Law

"In terms very close to what the Council of State had said about the draft law, the Constitutional Council confirms a tightening around the freedom of religion, to conclude that in reality, everything will depend on the terms of application," the Council of Mosques of the Rhône (CMR) said in a statement signed by its president Kamel Kabtane. It also reiterated "its reservations about this project which will create heavy administrative and accounting constraints for the religious associative fabric, whereas if the risk is that of social destabilization by foreign financing, many other sectors - social assistance, education, culture, sport - justifying much more important money flows, are not affected by these rules establishing financial transparency."

The Rhône-based body is nevertheless willing to work for a scrupulous application of the law by the religious associations it represents or which would ask it for help, SaphirNews reports. "Muslim places of worship are managed by small associations based on the attention and goodwill of volunteers, who have always focused on defending an open religious practice on society, and respecting the spirit of the law," the CMR also recalls, adding that these associations "now find themselves confronted with significant administrative and accounting work."

The CMR hopes "to be able to count on a constructive and benevolent attitude from the prefectures, respecting the time necessary to accompany this upgrading." According to the organization, the law intended to strengthen respect for the principles of the Republic would miss its objective if it were to weaken the associations animating places of worship.