Moroccan minister meets chairman of national federation of Moslems in france

Morocco's Minister of Habous and Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq, met Thursday in Rabat Chairman of the National Federation of Moslems in France (FNMF), Mohamed Bechari.

The meeting took place after the elections of the Moslem French council (CFCM), in which the National Federation won 44% of seats. More than 4,000 delegates from nearly 1,000 mosques and prayer centers in France voted for members of the new council's general assembly and central committee, as well as 25 regional bodies. The council will deal directly with the French government on issues as far-ranging as the cutting of meat according to Islamic standards, the need for more Muslim chaplains and social workers in prisons, the administration of France's mosques and prayer houses and even how to prevent the radicalization of young Muslims. The turnout in the election of the new council, first body representing Islam in France, reached 80 per cent.

During the meeting, the Moroccan minister called Moslems in France to form a unified Council that is capable of taking up challenges and facing doctrinal divergences, stressing that it is crucial to reflect the real image of Islam, a religion of compassion, peace and tolerance.