Muslim Federations Seek Consensus on French Islam Charter

"We take note of the presentation of the charter (...) to the President of the Republic. We regret that this charter was signed, on the one hand before obtaining the approval of all the components of the CFCM - in accordance with the principle of consensus that has been respected within this institution until today - , on the other hand without any consultation of the imams who are the first concerned, nor of the CRCM and CDCM (Regional and Departmental Councils of the Muslim Faith)," said the Coordination Committee of Turkish Muslims in France (CCMTF), the Islamic Confederation Milli Görus (CIMG) and Faith & Practice in a joint statement.

On the substance, these three federations, who say they are "very actively involved since the beginning of the process of forming the National Council of Imams (CNI) as well as in the development of its charter", affirm to be "obviously in agreement with the demand for non-interference of States, the non-instrumentalization of religions and the respect of the Constitution and the principles of the Republic". However, they believe that certain passages and formulations of the submitted text are likely to weaken the bonds of trust between the Muslims of France and the nation. "Certain statements are detrimental to the honor of Muslims, with an accusatory and marginalizing character," they point out.

In the eyes of the leaders of these three federations, the legitimacy of the CNI will directly depend on its acceptance (that of the charter, editor’s note) by the Muslim community of France. "The success of the CNI will inevitably depend on taking into account all the sensibilities of the CFCM components and the contributions of the imams, they declare. This is why adherence to this charter must necessarily go through a broad, democratic and participatory consultation."

"In order to adopt this charter, we must recognize ourselves in its content," they hammer. "It would not be useful to sign a text that our community cannot accept serenely." The three federations wish that the document, in its current version, be amended "by taking into account the contributions of all". "The opinion of the CRCM, the mosques not affiliated with the federations and the imams is essential to the success" of the CNI project, they conclude.