French Muslim Leader Calls for Collaboration on New ’Republican Values’ Law

Even if the term separatism has finally been replaced by "law strengthening the values of the Republic", it retains the attention of the head of the Grand Mosque of Lyon. "When we talk about separatism, I wonder who wants to separate from whom...?" asks Kamel Kabtane, adding however that "if it is a matter of working with the Muslim community and not against it, to make things evolve, then we accept it".

Addressing the 1905 law, Kabtane explained that "for some time now, the Council of Mosques of the Rhône has been inviting the affiliated mosques to choose this option to ensure financial transparency", so if the law were to be passed, material assistance and subsidies will be followed by the beneficiaries signing a commitment contract on the values of the Republic.

Moreover, the rector sees no objection to the text of the law that will control the financial independence of places of worship. Similarly, with regard to the decision of the Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin to control 76 mosques in France, Kabtane sees nothing wrong with it. "If there have been situations that have been reported, he is within his rights... If it is communication, it cannot be accepted," he stressed.

Giving his point of view on the importation of imams from Algeria, Morocco or Turkey, the rector indicated that priority must be given above all to solid training. Thus, to prevent radical preachers and self-proclaimed imams, it is essential to establish a real status, since several "imams are volunteers," he said, stressing that "we have to work on that, and that’s our responsibility," he concluded.