23.02.2013
Le Monde
The French Council of the Muslim Faith (FCMF) has with a large majority adopted a reform which democratically regulates its leadership and core body. The organisation which was created in 2003 with the help of Nicolas Sarkozy, then French Secretary State, to represent the millions of French Muslims quickly caused disunity and tension between the largest three groups that composed the FCMF. The last FCMF election in 2011 faced, as a result, a boycott by the Union of Islamic Organisations of France and the Grand Mosque of Paris which severely limited the legitimacy of the organisation. The FCMF’s reform is a compromise between the three major conflicting parties who now share leadership. The reform helps to democratise but also neutralise the FCMF in relation to state and society.
