Muslim private education in France: the CFCM denounces disproportionate sanctions

The French Council of Muslim Worship (CFCM) is alarmed by the situation of private Muslim education in France. The press release reports the recent termination of the association contracts with the State of several major establishments: the Averroès high school (Lille) and the Al Kindi school group (Rhône). These administrative decisions, contested in court with a judgment expected in 2025, could lead to the total disappearance of Muslim high schools under contract.

The CFCM denounces sanctions considered disproportionate and discriminatory treatment, citing in comparison the case of the Stanislas high school in Paris which, despite controversies, has not undergone similar measures. The organization calls on public authorities to exercise discernment and recalls the favorable precedent of the Nice administrative court concerning the Avicenna college, while inviting Muslims to favor legal recourse.

The organization also points to a worrying trend of widespread suspicion towards Muslims in France, where they find themselves faced with a double bind: accused of “communitarianism” when they are marginalized, and suspected of “entryism” when case of success. The CFCM warns against the exploitation of terms like “separatism” which, according to it, serve to discredit the entire Muslim community.

Faced with this situation, the press release concludes with a call for the preservation of republican values ​​of equality and justice. While recognizing the need to combat potential abuses, the CFCM insists on the importance of applying proportionate and equitable measures, thus avoiding fueling social tensions and extremist discourse.

CFCM press release

School groups “Avicennes, Averroes, Al Kindi…”

The fight against “separatism” must not be synonymous with generalized suspicion

The French Council of Muslim Worship (CFCM) expresses its deep concern about the major challenges that private Muslim education is currently experiencing in France. In recent months, several administrative decisions have had a major impact on the operation of private Muslim educational establishments, giving rise to a deep feeling of injustice and discrimination among students, their families, and a large part of our fellow citizens.

Recently, the Northern prefecture announced the termination of the association contract with the State of the Averroès high school in Lille. Shortly after, the Rhône prefecture canceled the three contracts linking the state to the Al Kindi elementary school, middle school and high school. These decisions, currently contested before the administrative court which will rule in 2025, could, if confirmed, lead to the total absence of Muslim high schools under contract with the State.

The CFCM does not have the elements to fully assess the justifications put forward by the competent authorities. However, based on the information provided by the establishments concerned, these measures are widely perceived as disproportionate and unjustified.

Unequal treatment and a sanction perceived as excessive

Corrective adjustments could have been considered, like the measures applied to other establishments in comparable situations. For example, the Stanislas high school in Paris, which is the subject of several controversies relayed by the France 2 program “Complément d’investigation”, has not suffered similar sanctions. This particularly visible disparity in treatment fuels a deep feeling of injustice among young students and their families, leaving lasting effects on their perception of republican institutions.

Widespread suspicion towards Muslims in France

These recent events are part of a broader and worrying dynamic of generalized suspicion towards Muslims in France. When they find themselves marginalized, for various reasons, they are accused of “communitarianism” or “separatism”. When they succeed, they are the subject of suspicion of “entryism”.

We do not underestimate the forms of deviance that may exist among certain individuals or institutions of the Muslim component of our country. These require firm and effective measures to contain them. But these vague and ambiguous terms are often used to discredit the entire Muslim community.

The CFCM warns of the dangers of this growing stigmatization, encouraged by certain media and influential figures close to the extreme right. This approach, far from strengthening national cohesion, fuels distrust and risks fueling extremes on all sides.

Call for discernment and respect for republican values

Faced with this situation, the CFCM calls on public authorities to demonstrate discernment and pragmatism, ensuring that they respect the fundamental principles of our republican pact: equal treatment and equal dignity of all citizens. The fight against any excess must be based on fair, proportionate decisions based on established facts, in order to avoid any escalation of tensions.

Sanctions perceived as arbitrary or disproportionate only reinforce the ideological discourse of the extremes, reinforcing tensions and fueling narratives of confrontation. It is neither the Republic nor its values ​​that emerge from it, but rather hatred and extremism.

A hopeful legal precedent

The Nice administrative court recently annulled, twice, the definitive closure order issued by the Alpes-Maritimes prefecture against the Avicenne college, ruling that the accusations of opaque financing were unfounded. This precedent shows that justice remains an essential and effective means of recourse to defend the rights of the establishments concerned.

A call for trust and legal action

The CFCM invites Muslims in France to continue to use legal avenues exclusively and to trust in the values ​​of justice and peace shared by the vast majority of our fellow citizens.

Together, we must ensure that we preserve the principles that make our Republic strong: equality, justice and respect for all its citizens, whatever their beliefs.

Paris, January 14, 2025

French Council of Muslim Worship (CFCM)