French Government’s New Initiative: The Forum of Islam in France

The French government launched on February 5 2022, a new governing body for Islam: the Forum of Islam in France (FORIF), which replaces the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) as the official interlocutor between the government and the Muslim community. [1] It will address strategic issues such as: security of places of worship,…

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The consequences of COVID-19 on Muslim burials

The death toll during the COVID-19 pandemic has been alarming across Europe, and all over the world, since early 2020. In this context, burying loved ones has become a difficult task for many Muslim communities in Europe, as it has added a further challenge to an already precarious situation. For years now, Muslim communities have…

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Enforcing the French law against “Islamic Separatism”: Consequences on religious freedom

The law aimed at safeguarding French “republican principles” and fighting “Islamic separatism” was approved by the French National Assembly on July 23, 2021, after months of debates about its limitation of freedom of association and expression and its discrimination against Islam. [1] Based on the bill’s articles, public authorities will fund only Muslim organizations that…

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US Secretary of State urges The UK and France to let jihadis return

At the summit of the international coalition against ISIS (an 83-nation coalition), held in Rome on June 28th, US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken stated “The United States continues to urge countries – including coalition partners – to repatriate, rehabilitate and, where applicable, prosecute its citizens“1. According to the Guardian, these remarks were primarily…

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The New French Bill Against Terrorism

On June the 3rd 2021, the bill to “prevent acts of terrorism and (reinforce) French Security services” was voted by the French National Assembly. The text acceptedin its first reading, must now be adopted by the Senate, the second chamber of French parliament. While the government has been working on the bill for some months,…

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