The French Senate doesn’t relent in targeting Algerian Imams!

The French authorities have required special administrative measures to monitor the Algerian Imams who will be assigned in France during the holy month of fasting of Ramadhan to spearhead the evening supererogatory prayers or (“Taraweeh”) in various places of worship.

In fact, the relevant French authorities asked to know the Imams’ identities, their level of training (in general matters and theology), mastery of French language or not, knowledge or ignorance of the fundamental values of the French Republic … under the provisions of the state emergency now in force in France.

In this connection, French Senator Nathalie Goulet, in a written question to the French interior minister, sought clarifications on those Imams slated to come to France next June from Morocco, Algeria and other countries to perform the “Taraweeh” prayers, during Ramadhan, arguing for that matter that “France by approving the emergency law and the arrival of Imams, will live under a constant threat”, as she put it.

In response, the French Interior Minister, Mr Bernard Cazeneuve, said that France will host 299 Imams during the month of Ramadhan on the basis of a bilateral cooperation agreement and that all administrative measures pertaining to control and identification will be taken before their arrival and their stay in France which will wrap up on the last day of the month of Ramadhan.

Moreover, beyond the administrative nature of these undue constraints, observers point to an ongoing smearing campaign waged against our well-meaning Imams by some malevolent Algerian quarters based in France in collusion with some shadowy French circles hostile to Algeria and to Islam.