Pauline METAIS September 25, 2017 (Re) organization of
Islam of France
(Re) organization of Islam in France
The question of the organization of Islam in France has been running for 30 years. It is born in France
With the beginning of the "affairs" linked to Islam (manifestations of condemnations of Salman Rushdie
Following the publication of the Satanic Verses and the affair of the veil in an establishment of Creil). In this
The authorities realize that they will no longer be able to deal with the question of Islam
Young French Muslims as they did with their parents (the idea of ??returning to
The land of origin ending at the same time).
It is not a matter of detailing the various steps leading up to the present situation but of
A point about what exists, what is undergoing transformation and what could be done.
I- The existent: a CFCM without legitimacy
The CFCM suffers from a cruel lack of recognition among the Muslim population, the
Of Hakim El Karoui pointing out that more than two thirds of the respondents do not know the CFCM. 1
CFCM operates through several associations representing the different countries of origin of the
Majority of French Muslims.
Algeria is represented there through the national federation of the Great Mosque of Paris. This
Federation would have a network of 250 associations and places of prayer and 150 imams, the majority of which
Composed of detached imams, employed by Algeria.
Morocco is represented through the Rally of Moroccans of France (RMF). The Morocco
Would salary 30 detached imams. They claim about 300 associations or places of worship,
Why they are often the winners of the elections for the CFCM office (or
MCRC).
Turkey is represented through the DITIB (Turkish-Islamic Union of Religious Affairs) in
Directly with the Turkish Ministry of Religious Affairs. This is the country that provides the most
Large number of imams in France since 150 are detached for a community of 600 000 Turkish
Or French-Turkish. It is a very centralized and controlled management of the cult by Turkey, which sends
Every week preaches it to their imams.
The UOIF boasts 250 associations. The UOIF mainly has an historical role since founded in 1983
By foreign students coming to France, mainly Tunisian. Today these former followers
Have evolved considerably, which explains why the UOIF includes personalities ranging from Tareq Oubrou
(Very liberal) to its President Amar Lasfar (founder of the Averroes high school, private Muslim high school
Obtaining excellent results, at the center of a recent controversy) known for its conservatism. His
Whether or not the Muslim Brotherhood is often discussed, although it is historically
The UOIF wishes to give the image of an independence.
Concerning financing, currently the share of foreign state funds is low, around 15%.
The main sources of funding are donations from the faithful and private funding (sometimes
Foreigners) these are the ones that are more difficult to trace.
In terms of government funding, the main foreign financier is Saudi Arabia, but
Which reported on a French scale does not constitute a great contribution, thus it is estimated to 750 000 euros
Donations that they pay each year to various associations mainly for the construction of places of worship.
Moreover, they salary 14 imams.
II- What is currently being done: The forum for dialogue with Islam
The establishment of this body following the attacks of January 2015 resulted in 3 meetings aimed at
Bring together Muslim representatives of the various currents. At the last meeting it was announced that the
Creation of a foundation for the Islam of France and the creation of a national worship association.
O The Foundation for Islam in France
It replaces the foundation of the works of the Islam of France which created in 2005 had been recognized
Foundation of public utility although having cult activities provided for in its statutes what was
Normally impossible. Due to various internal malfunctions this one never
worked.
This new foundation of Islam of France will have no cult object, in accordance with the law.
Within governance, there will be representatives of the State, donors and
Civil society, religious or lay people who will be representative of the diversity of French
Muslim faith.
It will be chaired by Jean-Pierre Chevènement, which is the main defect of this new
reorganization. This choice can not be understood by French citizens of Muslim faith.
They criticized the CFCM for not being representative, not being legitimate, because it was composed of
Most of them not born in France, old enough and elected according to associations all
Attached to the country of origin (what is called consular Islam). One can only deplore this
A choice which could taint the foundation from its birth. Indeed, the other cults benefiting from
Such foundations, are led by non-religious personalities but very strongly linked to the cult
concerned. Is this not again the sign of a state-controlled seizure that will taint the creation yet
Positive of this foundation? The recent statements by Mr. Chevènement only serve to
This feeling within the Muslim population.
The other issue is another nomination, that of Mr. Dalil Boubakeur, 75,
Head of the guidance council comprising some 20 members, some of whom represent
Muslim federations that made up the CFCM. Is it a good choice ? If it is understandable
For strategic reasons not to completely ignore the instances of the CFCM
(Which have a good knowledge of the problems, and are also links with friendly countries)
Mr. Dalil Boubakeur as Chairman of the OC when he has already been twice President of the
CFCM, leaves no room for novelty or youth. Yet this youth needs
For whom she has esteem. The foundation will recover the grants of the old foundation (1 million
Of euros donated by Serge Dassault). It will have a cultural, educational and social purpose. Concerning its
Fields of intervention, it can assist in the lay formation of imams or chaplains
Muslims, support cultural projects, language or cultural institutes, etc.
Concerning this point, the recommendations of the Montaigne report seem to me a little quick because
The author explains that the foundation should finance the construction of places of worship,
Imams and the salary of the halal priests. In any event, it could only be
The cult association that will be installed alongside the foundation of Islam in France.
* The worship association

A religious association "Loi-1905" will be created at the national level. At present, the
Associations formed a majority in the "Loi-1901" association, which
Allows for mixed activities but does not allow them to access certain tax benefits.
The purpose of this association would be to find new sources of funding, centralize
Of the faithful, to search for trails with companies in the halal and pilgrimage
Make a kind of contribution. These funds could finance the construction of places of worship
(Or mixed places with the foundation), to finance the training of imams, or even to pay salaries.
O The training of imams / chaplains
16 different university degrees on secularism, religious
Transmission of the values ??of the Republic have been put in place throughout the territory. These
Diplomas are not reserved to the representatives of the cult, they are accessible by all (public officials,
Students, future teachers, etc.). For some of them, they can be monitored remotely and twinned
With French language courses (in particular for the detached imams who sometimes
gaps).
As far as theological training is concerned, at present only two private centers are open
On French soil. There is the European Institute of Human Sciences, known to be close to the UOIF (created in
1990 at Château-Chinon). It is composed of three different departments of studies, one department
Study of the Koran, a department of theology and a department of Arabic. Complete training
Lasts 7 years. It is self-financing thanks to the registration fees (3000 euros) and to training sessions
Short and holiday settlements. The second center is the Al-Ghazali Institute, which is attached to the
The Grand Mosque of Paris (founded in 1993) it offers training over five years (one year of
ground). It is financed by the Great Mosque of Paris, the registration fees for the students
Are much lower (300 euros).
III- What could be done:
It must be remembered that all that is imposed or forbidden to a cult has an impact on the other cults. So
All that is wanted to impose on Islam will be imposed on cults formerly installed on the
territory. The risk is to see a shield lifting from these cults that have their own
Functioning and do not understand why they would suffer from the shortcomings of Islam. It is
Training issues (which some would like to make mandatory) or
Questions of bans on foreign funding, foreign language preachings, etc.
What is going on is a priori in the right direction, if not the appointments at the head of the different
Already mentioned.
However, this organization could be improved by avoiding too great State implications, except
As far as legal support is concerned. The presence of de-legitimate state institutions
Unfortunately this type of initiatives. The CFCM suffered greatly from its lack of legitimacy
To the fact that the various ministers of the interior who preceded had in reality created
institution. If the initiative was commendable, there were many damages. As soon as possible,
The State allows these institutions to live, while at the same time giving them the recognition of the public authorities.
There should also be more representatives of the younger generation of Muslims born and
Grew up in France. The French Muslim population is very young.
Represented, that they feel they are the interlocutors and no longer speak on their behalf.
Once the training is in place, the imams
detached. There too, it will not be easy because there are diplomatic stakes, the detached imams being
A means for countries to maintain a link with their populations, but to develop a form of
Soft power. Today these mosques are far removed from the realities of French youth,
To seek sources elsewhere on the internet. The presence on the internet is also a question,
Young people attending places of worship (also due to lack of time), it is
New generation there disseminates a religious content corresponding to Islam as it is for the most part
(Fighting the massive presence of Salafist content on the Internet).
Proposals for legislative intervention to prohibit or control are sometimes made, such as
That preachings be done in French (excluding certain churches, have preaching in English or
Spanish, etc.) or prohibit all foreign financing (here again, the financing of many
Cults are foreign).
As regards the taking into account of Islam, even if it is not the issue here, it is
Be aware that citizens of Muslim faith feel discriminated against
Rejected by the Republic. This feeling is understandable and legitimate since the different
Measures taken with regard to the cults of its last 30 years in fact Islam and more
Precisely the visible signs of the presence of Muslim worship. Among the proposals for
Laws currently filed more than half actually targets the Islamic veil and all
Concern the Muslim faith. The issue of school canteens has only revived this
In cities where there were pork-less meals systematically
Several decades, the mayors decided for purely political
Removing them leaving children eating only vegetables.
It will take time for organized Muslim Islam to be structured and functional. There will be
Internal "wars" as in each organization, but time must be given to
These young institutions. Of course talk about the time it will take, it's not seller, but you have to take
That there is no ONE Muslim community, Muslims are diverse in their
Origins, by their currents of thought, their aspirations, their references, and to the same of Islam
There is no hierarchy. It will take time for Muslims to organize an Islam from France,
And it will take time for France to get used to this Muslim presence without clergy.
OPINION ON THE PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE REPORT OF MR HAKIM EL KAROUI
MONTAIGNE INSTITUTE
1- Successfully create the Foundation for Islam of France, the Muslim Association for a
Islam of France: two major institutions
This is already what is underway, with two separate entities to handle different issues. But
I have doubts as to what the author thinks of returning to each of the instances. In my opinion, the foundation
Public utility can not finance the worship yet the author including the mission to finance the
The construction of places of worship, the wage-earning of the imams and the wage-earning of the halal priests.
2- A great imam of France to express a Muslim doctrine compatible with the
Republican values
Why not on principle, but this will be complicated to put in place. Indeed, relations are
Perhaps too marked by the various affiliations to choose a person outside the
Consideration of its origin. In my opinion, at the present time, if a college
Personalities born and bred in France) united and efficient works together, in several years
Could lead to the election of a great Imam of France. This is a rather ambitious project for the
moment.
3 - Enlargement of the alsaco-mosellan concordat to Islam
Since the decision of the Constitutional Council, the derogation regime can no longer be extended. But
The author hopes that in the current context the Constitutional Council will make a
Jurisprudence through a law on the creation of non-contractual professorships
Teaching of the Muslim religion ... What I doubt. But it states that this would
A chair of Muslim theology, and to elaborate a "theological discourse compatible with the
Expectations of society and the requirements of the Republic ". It is a kind of Gallicanism,
Are in a regime of separation and not control of religions.
4 - Accelerating the development of Arabic education
According to the survey 67% of Muslims in France want their children to study classical Arabic and
They are 56% wanting it to be within the public school. In his opinion, such
Would make it impossible to leave this teaching of languages ??to mosques. This is a point on which
Must be offered in many institutions (not only
In so-called sensitive districts or only in prestigious institutions). It is necessary to
The advantage that this represents for a young graduate to speak Arabic whatever its origin.
5- Train the chaplains and professionalize their status
He hoped to set up a French institute for chaplains to train culturally and recruit
Chaplains. On this point the many DUs in place respond to this offer of training. It would be
Support for all chaplains to be assimilated to public officials.
Only for military chaplains). That would be positive, but we have to quantify the cost
represent. (The Act of 9 December 1905 is not an obstacle since Article 2 already provided
The waivers for chaplaincies). 2
6-Facilitating the management of Islam in everyday life
He first referred to the issue of cemeteries and wished to legalize the possibility of creating
If the Ministry of the Interior invites the mayors, there is no
To this possibility. That might be welcome.
He would also like to allow associations of associations between the associations of 1901 and 1905
Amending the Act of 9 December 1905. This raises practical questions concerning funding.
"However, expenditures on chaplaincy services for the purpose of securing 2
Free exercise of cults in public institutions such as lycées, colleges, schools, hospices, asylums and prisons. "
In the case of a 1905 association subsidies are prohibited, if there is a
With the possibility of pooling resources, it will
Examinations in the distinction of subsidies. The mayors are likely to fear
Disguised subsidy and will no longer fund activities that could otherwise be
cultural.
7-Appoint a Secretary of State for Religious Affairs to the Prime Minister and
secularism
In reality his project would be a mutualization of the office of worship (which would no longer be
The Interior of the Observatory of Secularism (although he does not quote it) and the Quai d'Orsay
The visas of the imams.
This secretariat of State would require the creation of an international business
Religious affairs, a body of inspectors of religious affairs and secularism, the management of the French test
Which would be mandatory for foreign imams "Test on French Islam". It does not
Mission of these religious affairs inspectors. It also resembles Gallicanism,
If it is necessary to do everything possible so that Islam becomes an Islam of France, we must not
Reverse the principle that the Republic does not recognize any worship and does not interfere
Religious dogma "The State at home and the Church at home".
8-Developing knowledge about Islam
He hoped to be able to develop religious statistics to better identify needs,
Demystify the many questions about the number of Muslims in France. It may be a
track.