France suspends the hosting of "detached" imams

Macron focuses on French Islam

France has decided to suspend the reception of "detached" imams starting from January 1, 2024, as part of a strategy to reduce "foreign influences" on Islam in the country. This decision aims to promote the training of religious leaders directly in France and to foster a more integrated Islam in the national context.

A strategy to reduce "foreign influences" on Islam in France

The decision of the French government to no longer accept new "detached" imams starting from January 1, 2024 is the latest piece of a strategy initiated in 2020 by President Emmanuel Macron to reduce "foreign influences" on Islam in France.

The expression "detached imams" refers to those imams who are sent and paid by foreign countries to officiate in French mosques. It is estimated that there are around 300 of them in French territory. The issue raised by the French government is that these imams may bring visions of Islam that are not compatible with the values of the French Republic.

Already in 2020, Macron had expressed the intention to interrupt this flow of foreign imams and instead focus on the training of religious leaders directly in France. The Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, with a letter sent to all the countries involved, has communicated the steps of this process.

Objective: train religious guides directly in France

From January 1, 2024, France will no longer accept any more detached imams. Those already present will only be allowed to stay until April 1, 2024, after which they will also have to change their status. Muslim religious associations will be encouraged to directly hire imams, becoming their employers.

Investimenti nella formazione di imam e guide religiose in Francia

Parallelly, investment will be made in the training of imams and religious guides in France, both from a strictly theological and academic perspective. Degree courses in Islamic Studies have already started at the French Institute of Islamology. The goal is for an increasing number of imams in France to come from national training programs, in line with republican values.

The crackdown on foreign imams is part of a broader strategy by Macron to reduce the influence of Islamic fundamentalist currents and promote a more integrated "French Islam." However, it is not clear whether these measures will be enough to reform an extremely fragmented Muslim religious environment.

Reactions and concerns of the Muslim community

“Macron is using the issue of detached imams as a convenient scapegoat to please the populist right wing of his electorate,” said Ahmed Miktar, president of the Muslim association Le Rassemblement. “Instead of concretely addressing the spread of Islamophobia in the country, the President prefers to unjustly target our community as a problem. This decision, besides being unjustified, only risks fueling tensions and resentments. As representatives of French Muslims, we cannot passively accept it.”

With harsh tones, Miktar accuses the government of scapegoating the detached imams for mere political calculations, without taking into account the real spiritual needs of the French Islamic community. His position reflects the dissent of that Muslim segment that now feels systematically targeted by the policies of the Macron presidency.

"I firmly support President Macron's decision on detached imams. Many of these foreign preachers bring with them visions of Islam that are not compatible with the values of French society," says Dalil Boubakeur, rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris.

“"It is time to train spiritual leaders who have a deep understanding of our culture, traditions, and legal system. Only in this way can they transmit an Islam that is truly integrated in France and represent a credible reference for second and third generation believers."“.

Boubakeur, who has always taken secular and republican positions, therefore applauds the effort of the Macron government to build an "emancipated French Islam" free from external influences. His authority as the rector of the country's most important mosque will certainly give weight to the government's policies regarding detached imams.

“This decision concerns us greatly. Detached imams are essential for many communities that cannot afford a trained and salaried imam in France. We hope that the government reconsiders this ban,” declares Abdelkader Arbi, spokesperson for the Collectif des musulmans de France.

“"The detached imams represent an irreplaceable resource for many communities of believers, especially in the peripheral areas of the country. These communities simply cannot afford to have a trained and salaried imam directly in France."“.

“Interrupting the flow of foreign preachers would mean depriving hundreds of thousands of Muslims of a spiritual reference guide,” Arbi continues. “We understand the government's need to counter fundamentalist tendencies, but we cannot throw the baby out with the bathwater. We hope that President Macron reconsiders a measure that, as currently structured, only risks exacerbating the sense of marginalization that many young Muslims already experience in our country.”

With concerned but measured tones, the spokesperson for the French Muslims therefore appeals for dialogue, so that a reasonable compromise can be found on such a delicate issue for the community.

Editorial Team