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Tareq Oubrou, the rector of the grand mosque of Bordeaux, France, has criticized Congolese-French rapper Maitre Gims after he called on his Muslim fans to stop sending him new year and birthday wishes, considering the practice to be “un-Islamic.”
Gims remarks made headlines, angering some of his fans. Oubrou criticized the French singer in an interview with BFMTV.
For Oubrou, Maitre Gims does not have the legitimacy to speak in the name of Islam.
“Mr. Gims has every right not to like someone wishing him a happy new year, or even a good day, but to engage all Muslims and Islam is another matter… He does not have the legitimacy to do so,” the imam said
The imam emphasized that the singer should only focus on his field of expertise.
“ Islam has always been able to integrate cultural codes of politeness, of living together, “he said.
The imam also criticized Maitre Gims for citing Prophet Muhammad‘s companions.
Addressing his Muslim fans in a social networks video, Maitre Gims said: “Brothers, we don’t celebrate [the new year]. It’s not part of our belief. Did the [Prophet’s] companions celebrate the new year?”
Oubrou said Maitre Gims spoke about ”the prophet’s companions as if his companions were dancing with women in music videos like he does.”
“We can’t talk about companions and tradition when it suits us, and when it doesn’t suit us we do what we want; a little consistency,” the imam said.
The imam argued that he does not think Maitre Gims’ remarks are fanatic, “but it inspires fanaticism and separatism.”
Maitre Gims sparked a controversy on social networks, with many of his fans criticizing his remarks.
Read Also: French Singer Maitre Gims: New Year, Birthday Wishes Not Islamic
