Separatism: LREM deputies for a training center independent of imams

Create an independent training center for imams, control more the foreign funding of associations or even better supervise non-contract schools: LREM deputies on Tuesday declined their lines of work against Islamist " separatism ".

Meeting in a working group formed a few months ago, these elected officials explained during a meeting with the press that they had sought to free themselves from the influence of the media emergency on this subject which " divides ", While Emmanuel Macron must unveil new measures in the afternoon by receiving popular education associations. Among their recommendations, already unveiled in part in mid-January, deputies suggest " training imams in France, in particular by creating an independent training center like the national school of Muslim theology ".

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During a trip to Mulhouse last week, Emmanuel Macron said that France would stop welcoming " detached imams " sent by other countries.

According to Florent Boudié (LREM), " entrusting the CFCM (French Council for Muslim Worship) with a responsibility by asking it to make proposals on the training in France of imams is a good strategy ". But " in parallel, what we wear, which the President of the Republic did not say (...) we think it is useful to create " a training organization.

In compliance with the 1905 law, the State could only intervene " on civic training ", theological training passing through the CFCM. The idea is to create " a place which is the heart of the theological counter-offensive in the fight against fundamentalisms and rigorisms and all the excesses of misguided Islam ", underlined Mr. Boudié. " We can only do this with all of the Muslims " and " nothing would be worse than being considered as the tool of the Republic against a part of the Muslims, " he continued.

Read also: Separatism: Macron unites associations and announces new measures

Asked about the reception of this proposal by the executive, he considered it " normal " for the latter to listen, adding that if this solution is considered an option, the elected officials are " ready to work on it ".

Among their " ten axes of work ", the deputy of Essonne Francis Chouat also highlighted the " imperative " need to " better separate cultural activities from associations of cultural activities ", thanks to increased control " of funding in coming from abroad and the introduction of a new obligation to declare external donations above 10,000 euros ”.

In terms of education, elected officials recommend in particular to prohibit the creation of denominational schools without prefectural authorization and to " systematize controls " for schools without a contract.

The objective, underlined Mr. Chouat, is not to “ keep Islam from the Republic at a distance ”, but to “ contribute to create the conditions so that Islam is in the Republic like a fish in the water ”and that“ attempts at deviation are thwarted and weakened ”.