French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy

PARIS, December 12 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) – Several Islamic figures in France expressed dissatisfaction with the protocol signed between Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy and the three major Muslim representation groups in France on the necessary conditions to establish an Islamic Council in France before the end of 2002.

French newspaper, Le Figaro, stressed Thursday, December 12, that dissatisfaction with the deal centered on the way the protocol was written.

On December 4, Sarkozy invited Mohammad Bushari, President of the National Federation of Muslims in France, and Dalil Boubakeur, Imam of Paris Grand Mosque, and Foud ‘Alawi, President of the Union of Islamic Organizations in France, to a meeting to sign an agreement stipulating conditions of setting up the proposed Islamic Council in France.

According to Le Figaro, Sarkozy exercised pressure on the three and threatened that unless an agreement was reached before the end of this year he would tell the media that the idea of setting up an Islamic Council in France was scrapped.

Boubakeur showed readiness to sign the agreement because he is Sarkozy’s number one candidate to chair the envisaged council, said the paper.

It added that Bushari, who is backed by Morocco, also showed readiness to sign because he believes he might have a place in the council.

‘Alawi vocalized concern of informing the union members of Sarkozy’s decision during a meeting which was scheduled for Sunday, December 8.

He asserted that the union members had before reiterated rejection of the minister’s proposals, arguing that Sarkozy wanted to give the council membership to Muslims who adhere to an Islam that complies with French traditions.

Amr Al-Afsar, Imam of Lille mosque, told Le Figaro that Sarkozy attended the meeting of the Union of Islamic Organizations in France and expounded to the members the benefits of his project for both Muslims and the union members as well if the deal was endorsed.

On Monday, December 9, the representatives of the three Islamic groups gathered inside the interior ministry and inked the protocol, Imam Al-Afsar said.

On his part, Haidar Domerk, Secretary General of the France Muslims Grouping, which comprises Muslims of Turkish origin, said they agreed not to join the agreement.

“We condemn this agreement and the clandestine signing between Sarkozy and the representatives of the three Islamic bodies, which threatens to undermine the idea of establishing a council for Muslims in France by Muslims themselves.”

These bodies only represent 60 percent of Muslims in France and many of them oppose the protocol, he said.

Ahmed Baba Mesk, director of the union of African Islamic societies in France, assert that the measure (signing of the protocol) was not wise from the French interior minister.

We feel we were dealt with as if we were only figures and not humans who have independent viewpoints, he said, adding that Sarkozy ignored the ongoing difference on the proposed council which will not represent all Muslims in France.

Abd Al-Rahman Dahman, president of the Islamic Alliance which groups a number of independent mosques, underlined that the envisaged council would not represent all Muslims in France and will be manipulated by foreign hands.

He accused the three Islamic bodies involved in signing the deal with Sarkozy of being backed by foreign bodies.

The Paris Grand Mosque is backed by Algeria and the National Federation of Muslims in France by Morocco, he said, accusing the Union of Islamic Organizations in France of being the representative of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Interviewed by the Liberation newspaper, Marseilles Mufti Soheib Ben Sheikh expressed fear of rushing to sign the protocol.

The objective is not to sign an agreement on setting up the council as quickly as possible, but the goal is to have a council that represents Muslims in France, he said.

The Marseilles Mufti recalled that the project began three years ago and that the protocol was secretly written.

The protocol was signed without studying the situation of Muslims in France, he said, vocalizing fears that the purpose this to change Islamic customs to comply with French ones.

“No one in France can ban a group of people from forming an Islamic body or appointing an Imam,” he stressed.

He recalled that ever since his appointment as Mufti of Marseilles in 1995 the number of Islamic centers increased from ten to more than 50.

Muslims in France do not nee a council that would represent them only in form but they need more understanding and cohesion, said Ben Sheikh.