In an interview published in “Le Monde” yesterday, Manuel Valls expressed his support for a “new relationship with Islam in France,” a “new model” that would include training imams “in France and not elsewhere,” stating he is “in favor” of a ban on foreign funding of mosques.
This is a general consideration that opens a deep debate and requires reflection that goes far beyond contingent facts.
Christian Estrosi, relentless in his “vis polemica” against the government, took the opportunity to bring up an episode that he, quite clearly, has yet to come to terms with: “I can only regret that just a month ago, the government authorized the opening of the En-Nour mosque, financed by Saudi Arabia, substituting the authority of the Mayor.”
In fact, in this case, the Prefecture merely substituted the City Hall, which did not want to follow through with a double judicial decision, first by the Administrative Court and then confirmed by the Council of State.
Which, beyond any consideration, is not quite the same thing!
But, as experience teaches, one critique begets another… and sometimes even more biting.
This is the case because Christian Estrosi’s statement found an attentive ear and free tongue in FN regional councilor Philippe Vardon: “The argument always seems surprising coming from him since when he was encouraging this project or when his municipality authorized the construction work the owner was already the same Saudi.”
And he replied: “One must tackle Islamism as a whole, without being blinded by small electoral conveniences and low local politics. Thus, closing the En-Nour mosque while continuing to host Islamist UOIF mosques in municipal premises or defending Imam Sadouni would be sheer hypocrisy. The situation calls for courage and questioning, is Estrosi capable of it?”
