Restricting the rights of Muslims .. Islamic bodies in Europe warn against the French Charter for the principles of Islam

Islamic bodies in Europe have warned of the "Charter of the Principles of French Islam", asserting that the law restricts the rights and freedom of Muslims, according to a statement obtained by Al Jazeera Net.

This came in a joint statement by 3 bodies, namely the Coordinating Committee for Turkish Muslims in France (CCMTF), the Foundation for the Islamic Society in Europe "Milli Gorsuch" in France (CIMG France), and the Association for Faith and Practice (Foi et Pratique) that falls under the French Council of the Islamic Religion. .

The "French Council of the Islamic Religion" is the largest official Islamic institution in France, and it consists of Islamic organizations and associations and mosques legally recognized in the country.

The three bodies condemned the "document of principles" for regulating Muslim affairs, which the French government seeks to impose, and the statement stressed that it contains "clauses that undermine the honor of Muslims, have an accusatory and marginal character, and weaken the bonds of trust between the Muslims of France and the nation."

Last January, the French Council of the Islamic Faith announced the adoption of what it called a "Charter of Principles for the Islam of France," and the charter was presented to the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, on January 18, after 5 Islamic unions signed it, while 3 others refused to sign. They are the constituent societies of the French Council, which the French government considers the representative of Muslims.

The charter stipulates in particular the "principle of equality between men and women" and the "compatibility" of Islamic law with the principles of the republic, and stresses "the rejection of the employment of Islam for political ends" and the necessity of "non-interference by foreign countries in the affairs of the community."

At the same time, the three institutions stressed that the creation of a "National Council of Imams" (CNI) responsible for approving imams in France, is necessary and will be beneficial for Muslims, but the rush to sign the charter and the various declarations, unfortunately, led to a legitimate conception imposed from above, without approval. Al-Qaeda and in particular the actors involved are the imams. "

"We regret this expeditious administration that - without respecting the necessary steps for consultation - prompted several groups of mosques and imams to announce their refusal to participate in this project," the statement said.

Marginal speech

He explained that "the use of rhetoric that marginalizes Muslims and imams, and the generalization of unacceptable behavior committed by isolated individuals to the entire Muslim community, would seriously damage the credibility of this charter and thus the credibility of the National Council of Imams."

The statement stated that, "Likewise, the use of abstract words that may cast a shadow of doubt on Muslims and open the way for different interpretations may also undermine Muslims' acceptance of this charter and this council."

The Islamic institutions rejected a number of articles in the "Charter of the Principles of French Islam," which they considered to be baseless and go beyond their goals and is an incorrect name.

In this regard, she explained, "the Islam of France" was mentioned, and she said, "Islam, and its main sources, the Qur'an and Sunnah, cannot be limited to a society or ideology, so there can be no question about a national Islam such as" Turkey's Islam "or" Islam of Morocco "or" Islam of Algeria. "

The statement said, "The French constitution guarantees the freedoms of citizens in matters related to religious beliefs and civic obligations, so there is no need to resort to any declaration or commitment imposed on Muslims and the organizations that represent them, and they must be treated like followers of other religions and their organizations, within the framework of the rights and duties recognized by the French constitution." And international law. "

The statement said that there is ambiguity in a number of articles that open the door in the future to restrict the rights and freedoms of Muslims.

The statement added that "the religious doctrine and the constitution were mentioned at the same level and presented as two contradictory systems. This method is not in line with secularism because it confuses areas separated by law and assumes that all Islamic organizations, without discrimination, oppose the constitution."

The statement pointed out that some articles of the charter are incompatible with secularism, which is a secular interference in religious affairs.

In this context, the statement called for the equality of all French citizens, regardless of their ideas and beliefs, when it comes to the right to freedom of religion and conscience, “Therefore there is no objection to individuals, whether they adhere to the Islamic faith or not, have complete freedom to choose or reject any Religion, religion is a matter of individual freedom that cannot be imposed by coercion.

He said that there are phrases in the charter that may consider calling to Islam and expressing the views of Muslims as a bad thing, "so it is clear that the charter contains phrases that restrict freedom of religion."

"Islamic organizations refuse to take any action against anyone whose behavior violates religious teachings and prohibitions. In this context, the imams on duty in our mosques are responsible for answering questions related to homosexuality according to the sources of the Islamic religion, especially the Qur’an and the Sunnah, without calling for hatred or violence," the statement said. ".

Political Islam

The statement warned against the term "political Islam" in the document, and said, "The definition of (political Islam) cannot remain very vague."

In this context, he stated that "the concept of (political Islam) stipulated in the article limits the right of Muslims or Islamic organizations to enter into a social or political debate, as they may be accused of practicing" political Islam "and preventing them from exercising their democratic rights.

"It could also expose them to discrimination and criminalize their views, and we also strongly condemn the kidnapping of some criminal groups or organizations of our religion ... Therefore, Muslims are the ones who suffer the most persecution by these terrorist organizations such as ISIS (ISIS) or Al Qaeda, and they are often from Among the first victims of the crimes committed. "

The statement also referred to "Article VI of the charter, which stipulates rejecting any funding from outside France, whether from private persons or associations, and humanitarian and cooperative activities cannot be limited to the national borders of the country."

The statement stated, "Countries and societies need complementary policy and cooperation in all areas. Of course, this is also the case in managing religious activities. The desire to exclude religious societies from any external contact and interaction, by limiting them to national borders, results in a model" of religion. Closed economy model, similar to the closed economy.

"We must not forget that all Muslims living in France are not necessarily French citizens. It is not legal to wish to sever all relations between foreign Muslims residing in France and their countries of origin. In light of all these interpretations, the content of the text of the article as it is can lead," the statement said. To a lot of misunderstanding, as well as negative and unfair consequences for Muslims. "