French Muslim groups deal blow to Emmanuel Macron’s anti-extremism charter
- ‘We believe that certain passages … are likely to weaken the bonds of trust between the Muslims of France and the nation,’ the three groups said in a statement
- Macron had railed against the promotion of ‘political Islam’ in France in November after a teacher was beheaded by his school
Three Muslim groups refused on Wednesday to back an anti-extremism charter pushed by French officials following a spate of jihadist-inspired attacks, dealing a blow to a flagship initiative of President Emmanuel Macron’s government.
The charter rejects “instrumentalising” Islam for political ends and affirms equality between men and women, while denouncing practices such as female circumcisions, forced marriages or “virginity certificates” for brides.
French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM), a body set up almost 20 years ago to enable dialogue between the government and the Muslim community, broadly welcomed the charter and five of its eight federations signed on Sunday.
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However, the other three groups said on Wednesday they could not join their colleagues.
“We believe that certain passages and formulations in the text submitted are likely to weaken the bonds of trust between the Muslims of France and the nation,” the three groups said in a statement.
“Furthermore, some statements are prejudicial to the honour of Muslims, with an accusatory and marginalising tone.”
Macron had railed against the promotion of “political Islam” in France in November last year after a teacher was beheaded outside his school.