Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Rabat – French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has announced that France will no longer accept new “detached imams” from foreign countries starting on January 1, 2024.
The announcement follows President Emmanuel Macron’s 2020 decision to end the presence of around 300 imams sent by countries such as Algeria, Turkey, and Morocco, and promote the training of imams within France.
In a letter sent to concerned countries, Darmamin emphasized that after April 1, 2024, imams already in France under this status will no longer be able to maintain their presence.
Existing imams will be required to transition to a different status, and a unique framework will be established from April 1, 2024, allowing religious associations to independently recruit and directly employ imams.
The letter said that the objective is to have these imams receive at least partial training within France.
BFMTV reported that the decision does not impact the presence of foreign imams during Ramadan.
The move is part of the French government’s plan, initiated in 2020, to increase the number of domestically trained imams and reduce reliance on foreign appointments.
In 2022, the French government introduced the “Forum de l’Islam de France (Forif)” to replace the Conseil français du culte musulman (CFCM) with the goal of redefining the dialogue with the Muslim community, Analdolu Agency reported.
The announcement by Darmamin has sparked controversy and criticism. Critics argued that the decision to halt the appointment of foreign imams perpetuates a perception of Islamophobia, especially in light of France’s history of controversial policies, such as the ban on wearing hijab in public spaces.
The country has faced scrutiny in recent years for its restrictive measures targeting aspects of Islamic practice.
