Young French-Speaking Moroccan Imam Appointed to Lead Millau Mosque

According to Midi Libre, Mossaab Lkhouche arrived in Millau at the beginning of February. It is at the Mohammed VI Institute in Rabat that he obtained his imam diploma. He is replacing Rabia Zahazi who for eight years has been leading the services only in Arabic. The association has been searching for nearly six years to recruit a French-speaking imam. "It’s important for us that he speaks French. This allows us to reach out to the youth and prevent them from getting lost on social media where anything and everything is said," said Mustafa Kechkech, president of the Muslim Cultural Association of Millau.

At 33 years old, he joins the community just weeks before the start of the month of Ramadan. "It’s a double workload for me," says the new imam. The president of the association remains confident in his abilities. He says he has seen him at work since his arrival in the city of the glove. "I started my training in 2008," explains the interested party.

In addition to mastering French, the native of the High Atlas also speaks Tamazight, his native language. His command of several languages remains an asset for the community. "We are a multicultural mosque with converts, Comorians, Turks and people of all ages, not everyone speaks Arabic. Since the arrival of this imam who also speaks French, we have more and more young people who are regular at the mosque. He is appreciated by all generations," testifies Mustafa Kechkech.

Before Millau, Mossaab Lkhouche has worked in several mosques in France, and is still in training to obtain a certificate in secularism, religion and citizenship.