French Muslim Leader: Charter on Islam Won’t Curb Terrorism

"Personally, my concern is above all the fight against terrorism, which has caused devastation around the world and killed in France in churches and in sacred places. It is not this charter that will stop terrorism," he said in an interview with Sputnik. To gradually overcome this phenomenon, he calls on the imams who preach on Fridays to speak about the values of the Republic and the love of the country and to advise the youngest to avoid going on the Internet to get their heads filled by preachers of hatred.

Mr. Zekri also spoke about the three federations that have asked for more time to sign the charter. "These three federations have made proposals and would have liked to change certain parts of the text, such as the expression ’Islam of France’ for example, which does not please everyone," he said, explaining that there is indeed an Islam in France, but there is no "Islam of France", just as there is no "Judaism of France" or "Christianity of France". "The Islam "in France" is also respectful of the values of the Republic and the secularism of the law of 1905," added the official.