Muslim Leaders Criticize Focus on Islam in French Presidential Campaign

In an op-ed in Le Monde, Mohammed Moussaoui, president of CFCM, called on presidential candidates to avoid "prejudicial amalgams" to national unity.

"The diversion" of the Muslim faith and religious practices "by extremists [...] calls for our vigilance and a firm and continuous struggle on our part and on the part of our fellow citizens in order to protect each other mutually," he wrote.

"But should we accept that electoral debates be centered on our religion, as if it were the source of all our difficulties and all our ills? Should we therefore fall into an essentialist discourse that erects walls between citizens and creates division in our country?" he wondered.

The president of the CFCM noted that "under the guise of the fight against extremism claiming to be from Islam, the discourse of some has almost become a call to get rid of the Muslims of France."

"It is a fact: debates and controversies around the Muslim religion have multiplied, a latent racism, which wants to be imperceptible, hidden under the acceptable appearances of freedom of expression, is manifesting itself more and more openly," he deplored.