Stated objectives
The Council of the Muslim Faith was originally created to help Islamic France to be better represented and to help regulate things that go along with the religion. The council is in charge of regulating things such as halal meat, holidays, and mosque construction in France. They strive to make sure Muslims have somewhere to pray toward mecca, somewhere their children can learn more about their religion, and also to bring the population together. The council is not a political party, rather a way for the Muslim citizens to have their ideas heard and make sure they are represented when it comes to governmental decisions. The CFCM also seeks to dilute the discrimination against Muslims in Europe, most specifically France. They look to educate those who affiliate radical Muslims with the entire Muslim faith, showing them that there can be a radical form of any religion.History
France, along with other parts of the world, set Muslims apart from the rest and treated them as if they were "others." This led to a lot of mistreatment and discrimination in the country of France. As the population of Muslims started to grow in France, the people felt that they should be better represented. The French Council of the Muslim Faith was originally configured by a group of Muslim students who wanted to see the change throughout France and better their ways of life in their country.Key people
Nicolas Sarkozy is the man who officially established the French Council for the Muslim Faith. "Pour lutter contre le danger d’un Islam des caves et garages," or, "To fight against the danger of an Islam of basements and garages." People in the country of France had been wanting to bring together Islamic France and The French Government for many years prior, and Sarkozy felt this action was necessary in order to protect the views of the Muslim religion that had been quickly diminishing due to the recent terroristic attacks. Tareq Oubrou is an imam from the Bordeaux, a city in Southern France. He is known for his progressive and liberal views and was brought in at the creation of another branch of the council, the theological panel. The council brought this section to life in order to more thoroughly represent the various branches of Islam practiced in France, as well as to help squash the negative stigmas against the believers that have been circulating the internet.Service
The council makes it easier for the Muslim population to get their ideas, wants, and needs heard by the French government in an easier manner. Also help inform people that radical Muslims are not a representation of the Muslim religion as a whole. The radical ones are just as harmful as radical Christians or Jews can or could be. They seek to make sure people know that they are safe among those who practice the Muslim religion in its many branches, and try to unify people in situations where they have been pulled apart.Outreach
Due to the recent terrorist attacks against France, there has been tension among the people, many of whom now feel uneasy in the presence of Muslim worshippers. A new branch of the FCMF, theological plane, was created in order to try and spread the word that the people committing these crimes are not representative of the other believers.See also
* Islam in France * Muslim Executive of Belgium * Central Council of Muslims in Germany * Islamic Commission of Spain * Council on American-Islamic Relations * Muslim Council of Britain * Muslim Council of SwedenReferences
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