French newspaper CNews has reported the commencement of deporting and expelling imams and preachers recruited from other countries to France, banning them from practicing their profession.
The newspaper noted that one of Emmanuel Macron’s key promises has officially been fulfilled on Monday, April 1st, which is to put an end to accepting newly recruited imams from other countries starting January 1st, 2024, meaning France will not keep them on French soil under this arrangement.
With the implementation of this rule, so-called delegated imams, those sent to France by other countries, will not be able to remain on French soil and practice as imams unless their status changes.
According to a message sent by Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin in December 2023, a specific framework will be established to allow associations managing places of worship to directly employ imams themselves.
These series of measures, announced by Emmanuel Macron in February 2020 during a trip to Mureaux (Yvelines), aim to combat foreign influence on Islam in France and tackle Islamic separatism within the country.
In contrast, the French state has not set a limit on the special arrival of imams for Ramadan, the blessed month for Muslims.
