Prominent French Imam Sues Islamic Scholar Over ’Insulting’ Remarks

In an interview given on November 12 to the website TSA-Algérie, the Islamologist declared that "erecting" the imam of Drancy as the "quasi-sole spokesman for Muslims in France" would be an "attack on the intelligence of French Muslims". Remarks that shocked Mr. Chalghoumi. The next day, he filed a complaint against Mr. Bencheikh on November 13 for remarks deemed "insulting and contemptuous."

The imam will not stop there. He calls for the outright dismissal of the president of the Foundation of Islam of France. "It is also necessary that administrative sanctions be taken against Mr. Benckeikh, who cannot continue to preside over an institution whose object exactly corresponds to the values advocated and defended by Mr. Chalghoumi but which, from reading the litigious article, have become the opposite of those of Mr. Bencheikh," his lawyer said.