New forum for Islam in France, Muslims angry over PM Macron’s decision [TKB EUROPE]

The Emmanuel Macron government of France has decided to create a new body ‘The Forum of Islam’ to deal with Islamic extremism. The government says that it will reshape Islam in France through this. This body will consist of imams and common people who will be elected by the government of France. At least a quarter of the members will be women. According to the news agency, it has been told by the government of France that the members of the body will help guide the Muslim community.

Extremist attacks in France have increased in the last few years. Hundreds of citizens of the country have gone to Syria to fight with the jihadists. In such a situation, some people agree that increasing fanaticism in Islam is a threat to France. Supporters of the body say it will keep France and its five million Muslims safe and ensure that Muslim practices in France conform to the values ​​of secularism in public life.

Macron made a move in view of the presidential election

Critics say that France’s presidential election is due on April 10 and Macron’s move is a political ploy to attract right-wing voters. Critics, who include a large number of Muslims, say that he sees his religion as part of his French identity. They say that this new initiative of the government is another step in the institutional discrimination that limits their social life. People say that the government holds the entire community responsible for the violent attacks of some people. This new forum is replacing the French Council of Muslim Faith. The French Council of Muslim Faith was established in 2003 by former President Nicolas Sarkozy. The council acted as a negotiator between the government and the leaders of Islam.

Islam will be reshaped

“We must change now,” French Interior Minister Gerald Dormanin said at the inaugural meeting of The Forum of Islam at the Economic, Social and Environment Council in Paris on Saturday. We are resuming relations between the country and Islam. This forum will be a new form of dialogue that will present the diversity of Islam in France in a more open and more inclusive way. Islam is the second largest religion in France but it does not have any major leader in the country. Instead of bringing imams from Turkey, Morocco or Algeria in this body, things like training them in France have been said. Many in the Muslim community agree on this point.

Muslims said – Government trying to control Islam

Opinion of Muslims is divided regarding the body. Some Muslims have welcomed this move of Macron, while some say that it is a big effort of the government to control his religion. Muslims say that Macron can never bring such a law to convert Christianity. Muslims in France have long complained of discrimination in their daily lives. Muslims complain that the police check their identity cards every time, whereas Christians do not. Even in jobs, Muslims complain of discrimination. Whenever there is an attack by extremists who believe in radical Islam in France, the country’s Muslims come under suspicion and pressure. Whether the attack was carried out by a foreigner or a youth born in France, all Muslims have to bear the brunt of it.