A meeting in the city of Frankfurt was held on 26 September 2017 to review the results achieved of the project,of language and cultural training as well as the rehabilitation of Moroccan imams in the German Land of Hessen. conducted by the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad, the European Council of Moroccan Ulemas and the German Goethe Institute, the language program contributed to train more than 40 imams, mostly Moroccans, working in Hessen.
In his opening speech, the Goethe Institute project leader Mr Sebastian Jonas and Mr Abdou Samad Yazidi both said that while criticism of the integration of imams and Muslims is widespread, it is exceptional to find adequate tools to improve the imams work.
The representative of the of the Moroccan Kingdom in Frankfurt, Mr Mohamed Achghou, who delivered a speech on behalf of the Moroccan ambassador in Berlin, welcomed the initiative, which opened new horizons in the name of dialogue and a constructive debate thanks to the new communications and knowledge mechanisms. “It is important for every imam to transmit the principles of authentic Islam and the religion of tolerance, especially for young people and women, in order to permit them to be open to universal values ”.
The Envoy recalled the king’s speech of 20 August 2016, where His Majesty King Mohammed VI issued an appeal to Moroccan citizens inhabiting abroad, reminding them that they are at the limelight of security and peace in their country of residence and called them to combat extremism and isolation.
M.Boussouf: a proactive project that can be carried out in other countries
For the Secretary General of the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME), this project coincides with the recent German elections that saw the emergence of the far right (AFD) in Parliament. And few weeks after the terrorist attacks in Barcelona where a self-proclaimed Imam was designated as the source of terrorist indoctrination. This raises the question of the role of the Imams in religious indoctrination in Western societies.
M. Boussouf also said that the discipline of the imams during 2 years shows (2015-2017) their will to dialogue with the society of residence which consists in framing the youth by presenting the true Islam, which is the essence of coexistence, of peace and the prosperity of the country of residence and country of origin.
The Secretary General of the CCME also underlined the role played by Morocco in the religious field in terms of religious framework which is not new and especially not born after terrorist attacks, since for several years now, he has had a pro-active and avant-garde program for the rehabilitation of the Imam, which enables him to have scientific and sociological tools and even social, humanitarian and philosophical tools, for society where he lives. He also called the imams who participated in the language project to communicate with the community and answer to any question and an extremism attributed to the religion.
Mr Boussouf also expressed the wish of the Council that this project, the first of its kind in Europe, should be followed by other projects, whether in different German territories or the extension to other European countries “because we want the Imam to play its role in coherence with society and consider that there is no contradiction between Islam and the values of Western societies.
Mr. Khalid Haji: the Imam is necessary to “grasp” the culture of his time and renew its standards
In the same context, Mr Khalid Al-Hajji, Secretary General of the European Council of Moroccan Ulemas, spoke of the challenges faced by Muslims in Europe, which in turn is experiencing an identity crisis in which the Muslim community is part of the construction of the Europe of tomorrow. Mr. Khalid Haji then raised the question of how to promote the Imam to the legal status of the clergy in Europe in the same way as for other religions. He affirmed that the Muslim community must be convinced that it is an integral part of the Europe of tomorrow and that this is the moral status and consideration of the people of faith.
The Secretary General of the European Council of Moroccan Ulemas considered that language alone is not enough, adding that it is necessary to take advantage of the religious system which is characterized by moderation, tolerance and respect for the Other in conformity with the ” European environment.
At the end of this unprecedented meeting the imams got degrees named: “Culture, rehabilitation of the nations”
CCME
