French Muslims Criticize Government Actions Against Islamic Schools

The French Council of Muslim Worship (CFCM) has voiced deep concern over recent administrative decisions affecting several private Islamic schools in France, Middle East Monitor reported.

In a statement released on January 15, the Council expressed feelings of “injustice and discrimination” following the termination of state contracts with Lycee Averroes in Lille and the Al Kindi school network in Lyon.

The CFCM described these measures as “disproportionate and unjustified,” emphasizing that the affected communities perceive them as unfair. The Council pointed out the unequal treatment of Islamic institutions compared to others, citing the case of Lycee Stanislas de Paris, which has faced controversies but has not encountered similar sanctions.

This situation arises amid what the CFCM characterizes as a “broader and worrying trend of generalized suspicion towards Muslims in France.” The Council criticized the use of terms like “separatism” and “communitarianism,” arguing they are often manipulated to discredit the entire Muslim community.

Highlighting a recent legal victory in Nice, where a court overturned the closure of College Avicenne, the CFCM encouraged affected schools to seek justice through legal avenues. The Council urged public authorities to ensure that decisions are “just, proportionate, and based on established facts” to prevent escalating tensions and further alienating communities.