At the latest since the debate about Charlie Hebdo, anti-Muslim racism is on the rise again in France. Many Muslims in France are poor, in 2015 they were2.5 times less likely to find a job.
They live in the poor districts of France, are constantly harassed by the police and are constantly told that they don't belong here because of their religion. Dissatisfied people, and especially the young people among them, who see more or less no future prospects and for whom the bourgeois state is not interested, are dangerous for the bourgeoisie and it knows it. That is why the French bourgeois government is now trying to gain more control over Islam in France. To this end, the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM), commissioned by French President Macron, has adopted an "Imam Charter", which is now under criticism. The Charter, now officially called the "Charter of Principles", sets out in 10 articles the "republican values" that an imam in France must profess. Islam in France is to become an "Islam of France", it says. Religious conviction cannot exempt one from one's duties as a citizen, a struggle is to be waged against the "instrumentalisation of Islam for political purposes" and "non-interference by foreign states" in Muslim worship is demanded. The usual things the bourgeoisie has to say about Islam. But it goes further: for example, imams would have to admit that there is no "state racism" in France. Also that there is "state-sanctioned Islamophobia" (in the sense of being supported) would then no longer be allowed to be said. This is simply stated when Article 9 of the said Charter writes that the attacks on French Muslims and their symbolism can only be attributed to an "extremist minority" which "should not be confused with either the government or the French people". So denouncing state racism would only promote anti-Muslim hatred as well as hatred of France. However, that France has a problem with racism and violence against Muslims is already public knowledge and undeniable, also fuelled by chauvinist statements by various politicians. The fact that Macron is now threatening that anyone who does not agree with this charter as an imam must expect consequences makes the chauvinist character even clearer.
Imams are already mobilising against the new charter. In their opinion, it has long been covered by law that religious personalities are not allowed to call for hatred. For them, this charter violates religious freedom much more and is above all an advance in anti-Muslim racism. Also, the CFCM is not at all representative of Muslims in France, many do not even know of its existence. And it is not only among Muslims in France that this new charter meets with rejection; Christian religions also express concern about religious freedom.
President of CFCM and Macron signing the „Charter of Principles“.
