French Muslim Council warns of Islamophobia fueled by government report
Community leaders call for clarity and caution as concerns over stigmatization grow
PARIS (MNTV) – The French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) has expressed alarm over what it describes as a climate of “constant suspicion” facing Muslim citizens in France.
The concerns follow the publication of excerpts from a government-commissioned report on Muslim political communities, sparking widespread debate.
In a written statement, the CFCM cautioned that many Muslims feel increasingly unsafe, describing the report as a source of “widespread suspicion.”
The report, titled “Political Islamism and the Muslim Brotherhood,” was prepared by senior officials and excerpts were published by the French daily Le Figaro.
The CFCM criticized the document’s approach, urging authorities to adopt a more nuanced and evidence-based strategy in addressing extremism.
“The fight against extremism based on Islam, which profoundly harms the lives of French Muslims and all our fellow citizens, is one of our top priorities,” the council stated.
“But this fight must be guided by rigorous, contextualized data and a precise identification of those responsible.”
Ambiguities spark fear of stigmatization
The council warned against the report’s use of vague terms such as “political Islam,” arguing that these phrases lack clear definitions and risk generating confusion.
The group voiced “deep concern” over the potential misuse of the report’s findings, particularly the vague identification of institutions, associations, and individuals allegedly tied to the Muslim Brotherhood.
“This vagueness is likely to cast unjust suspicion on all Muslim structures in our country,” the CFCM warned.
“It risks fueling conspiracy theories, stigmatisation, and threats to the safety of French Muslims.”
French Prime Minister François Bayrou called for unity and rejected turning Islam into a divisive issue.
“We must live together,” Bayrou said during an interview with local media, emphasizing that “continual one-upmanship” only fosters division.
President Emmanuel Macron also addressed the controversy, urging people to “stop mixing everything up” and noting that Muslims in France “are at peace” and “love the republic.”
The debate comes amid renewed scrutiny of policies affecting Muslim communities, including a proposal by former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to ban headscarves for girls under 15.
Bayrou dismissed the idea as impractical and counterproductive.
As discussions continue, the CFCM has called on authorities to exercise greater precision and care in addressing such sensitive issues, warning that failure to do so risks deepening divisions and misunderstandings.
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