The State, mayors in the Rhône-Alpes, and local religious leaders have set a goal to curb radicalization of young Muslims in the region, introducing 10 propositions. These include: opening the mosque to women, lessening financial burdens, mentoring Arab language schools, reinforcing interreligious dialogue, creating a regional council of Muslims.
These goals are intended to “clarify” the roles of several institutions, such as mosques that are often accused of harboring foreign salafi imams. “We must help each other” because “today it’s important that associations and mayors work together,” declared Abdelkader Laïd Bendidi, president of the Regional Council of the Muslims Faith (CRCM).
These “extremely realistic and constructive measures were unanimously supported by religious leaders, mosques, mayors, and state representatives, and I will make every effort to support them,” said prefect Michel Delpuech.
