The representatives of the Muslims cannot agree and come together. The French Council of Muslim Worship (CFCM) and the Grand Mosque of Paris have each announced the upcoming creation of their own National Council of Imams, a body wanted by the government to restructure Islam in France. “It doesn’t make sense, we have to put an end to what we call consular Islam”, reacted Sunday, November 21 on franceinfo Ghaleb Bencheikh, Islamologist, president of the Fondation de l’islam de France and producer of the program “Questions d’islam”, Sunday from 7:05 am to 8 am on France Culture. He calls on the various bodies to “to go past” their “divisions.”
franceinfo: What do you think of these disagreements?
Ghaleb Bencheikh: I am sad about this state of affairs at a time when the Islamic element is haunting, not to say thorny, sulphurous, problematic, in our country. Instead of having hierarchs who get along we are witnessing a division. But it is so in the behavior of men. You have to know how to go beyond that, it is imperative.
Why does the French Council of Muslim Worship not manage to come to an agreement?
The question is not there. The question is why within this institution there is dissent? The French Council of Muslim Worship is very recent, 18 years old is recent for a religious institution, and it needs time, maturity, anchoring and it could not be done. There are two solutions. Either his announced death must be ratified, or he must be given the opportunity to be strengthened and I think that is what must be done.
Is the French Council of Muslim Worship threatened with this quarrel?
He’s not in good shape. When you are convalescent or tired, you are not necessarily called upon to die, so you have to find internal resources and be able to react. Let us hope, pledge, make sure, men and women of good will, so that these two National Councils of Imams can meet in a single instance. This is what matters to all of us.
To have two National Councils of Imams, isn’t that possible?
That does not make sense. We must put an end to what we call consular Islam, there is no reason to continue importing imams who are not aware of our French realities. We need a National Council of French Imams, steeped in French values, respectful of republican principles and that must be natural. For that we have to have this secular atmosphere and be steeped in the history of French heritage.
What can the French state do?
Nothing. In accordance with the law of December 9, 1905, the State does not have to get involved in internal quarrels between religions. He does not have to whistle the end of the game or the beginning, but he could play the catalyst, a body which can bring together good will, a role of mediator, of facilitator.