the rector of the Grand Mosque of Lyon calls on Macron to intervene
The rector of the Grand Mosque of Lyon called Emmanuel Macron to “reexamine” the situation of the Muslim school group Al-Kindi, whose contracts the State has just terminated, denouncing in an open letter “a profound injustice”. The Al-Kindi establishment, located in Décines in the Lyon suburbs, is “a model of excellence” with “quality teaching and rigorous pedagogy”writes Kamel Kabtane on the website of the Council of Mosques of the Rhône.
The prefect of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes announced on January 10 to put an end to the contracts established between the State and the school group, accused of proximity to “the thought of the Muslim brothers”notably due to the presence in its library of works “radical Islamists”.
“This decision is seen as a profound injustice, and it is causing growing emotion within the community”adds Kamel Kabtane. Referring to the Parisian Catholic high school Stanislas which has retained its subsidies despite sexist and homophobic excesses, the rector denounces a “disparity in treatment” which lifts “legitimate questions”. Addressing the head of state directly, he asks him to “reexamine this situation” by a “strong gesture to reaffirm the principles of equity and justice which must prevail in our country”.
A “political decision”
Opened in 2007, Al-Kindi educates nearly 620 students from CP to final year and 80% of its classes are under contract. The termination of the contract, which involves the loss of numerous subsidies, threatens its survival. An online prize pool, opened on January 12, has since raised more than €170,000. Denouncing a “political decision”his lawyers have announced their intention to take legal action, but their appeal has not yet been finalized, they indicated on Monday.
The case of the other large private Muslim high school, Averroès in Lille, which lost its contract at the start of the 2024 school year, will be examined on its merits by the courts soon.
The Lille administrative court should consider it in March or April ” at the latest “according to its communications department, on the termination of the association contract, contested by the management of the high school, which has lost a third of its students since this decision. In summary proceedings, the court has already confirmed the prefecture’s decision twice. At the end of 2023, the prefect decided to terminate this contract by accusing the high school of having provided teaching “contrary to the values of the Republic”.
On the other hand, the administrative court of Lille once again ruled in favor of the Averroès high school on Friday in the standoff between it and the Hauts-de-France region, led by Xavier Bertrand, who refused for years to pay it subsidies. .
As it did for the 2020-2021, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years, the court ordered the region to pay the day school package for 2023-2024 when the Muslim high school was still under an association contract with the State.
The Region indicated on Monday that it was appealing, considering that it had had the “wrong to be right too soon”and arguing that the State has “given reason by withdrawing this association contract”.
