France will no longer accept seconded imams in 2024

This was one of the big promises of Emmanuel Macron, who announced it in 2020, during a speech in Mureaux (Yvelines). In a letter sent to the countries concerned, Gérald Darmanin announces that France will no longer accept seconded imams from January 1. Those already present in the territory will have to change their status after April 1.

300 seconded imams present in the territory

Sent by Morocco, Turkey or Algeria, these imams, employed by these States, are accused for some of being the relay of radical Islam. “It is perhaps necessary, but it is not sufficient, since the separatist discourse is of several typologies. The problem is that today separatism, fundamentalism, extremism are developing more on social networks than in mosques.“, comments Tareq Oubrou, the grand imam of Bordeaux (Gironde). According to estimates, some 300 seconded imams are present in the territory.