Bill to Tighten Control of Mosques
Move has been framed as a response to the spread of Islamist separatism in the country
The legislation passed Friday aims to promote the country’s separation of religion and state, while strengthening oversight of mosques.
PHOTO: CHRISTOPHE ENA/ASSOCIATED PRESS
By
Noemie Bisserbe and
Matthew Dalton
July 23, 2021 2:49 pm ET
PARIS—The French Parliament passed a bill on Friday that aims to strengthen government oversight of mosques and other religious organizations and counter the influence of Islamist movements that French President Emmanuel Macron says are undermining the country’s secular values.
The legislation, called the Law Reinforcing Respect of the Principles of the Republic, passed the National Assembly, or lower house of Parliament, with a vote of 49-19, garnering support from lawmakers in Mr. Macron’s ranks as well as other centrist parties.
Mr. Macron and his supporters in the legislature have framed the bill as a response to the spread of Islamist separatism, which the president describes as a political and religious project to create a parallel society where religious laws take precedence over civil ones.