Emmanuel Macron Establishes a National Council of Imams
French President Emmanuel Macron has issued an ultimatum to French Muslim leaders, as part of his bid to clamp down on radical Islam following a string of terrorist attacks.
On Wednesday, Macron issued a “charter of republican values,” giving the French Council of the Muslim Faith 15 days to sign on to the document.
The charter establishes a national council of imams, which would be empowered to accredit religious Muslim leaders, or, conversely to strip leaders of accreditation.
In addition, the charter defines Islam in France as a religion and not a political movement, and bars “foreign interference” in Muslim groups.
Macron has promoted French secularism, following a string of terrorist attacks by Islamists in France, including the beheading of a teacher over cartoons of Muhammad shown to a class last month. (INN / VFI News)
“God, we ask that you watch over the French people, and protect them from violence and extremism.”