Although clearly playing to prejudice fanned by the far right against Muslims, Sarkozy’s ostensible objective, supported by all too many on the left, is the defence of France’s much-vaunted, totemic tradition of laicité, rigorous, enforced secularism.
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Earlier this week, France’s highest administrative court has possibly set a precedent by suspending the burkini ban imposed by the southern town of Villeneuve-Loubet.
Although the controversy over the burkini ban is far from over, leaders of France’s Muslim community hope that Monday’s conference will help decisively turn the page on the issue now that the ban has been overturned in at least one town.
Cazeneuve, speaking to reporters, said a “strong and calm” relationship with Muslims is “urgent and particularly necessary”.
“We must not fall into this mortal trap”.
He also chastised the opposition for trying to stoke tensions at a time when France is hit by a series of deadly attacks claimed by Islamic State (Isis) militants.
Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve warned in an interview with France’s Roman Catholic newspaper La Croix that if the political class can not unite all French “the dynamics of division may prove unsafe”.
Cazeneuve warned in an interview with France’s Roman Catholic newspaper La Croix that if the political class can not unite all French “the dynamics of division may prove unsafe”. However, he ruled out drafting a national law banning burkinis.
In France, the interior minister is charged with maintaining good relations with religious denominations.
The foundation would finance education and cultural projects and non-religious training of imams, such as history of religion classes, he said. Courses on Islamology are also to be offered to French to acquaint them with the religion. “Firstly, we must end the arguments over the burkini, which make no sense”.
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France is home to Europe’s largest Muslim community with five million people. Some 20 mosques or prayer rooms considered imbued with radicalism have been closed in recent months.
