Imams in France forbid greetings at Christmas
This is what French imam Hocine Drouiche wrote on his Facebook page. He is one of the most open-minded French Muslim clerics opposed to extremism. A tireless promoter and supporter of dialogue between different faiths, he condemns those who repeat the "mantra" that Islam is a religion of peace but then consider expressing season’s greetings "as an insult" because "this is not our religion."
For him, the Islam professed by these imams, who are the majority in France, in Belgium, and in many other countries, "is not a true Islam of peace and shared life". "I saw with my own eyes the results of these incomprehensible and illogical formulations, meeting several devout Muslim who view best wishes for the New Year as an insult. They are embarrassed, they look at you in a strange way, they answer: But this is not our religion! As if the New Year belonged to a specific religion. Fortunately, there are also open-minded Muslims, who greet you with a big smile and wish you a Happy New Year," says Hocine Drouiche.
"The Islam of these imams is not a true Islam of peace and shared life. This is a Bedouin and archaic Islam…For me, the Bataclans, Hyper Cachers and Nices stem from these hateful directives. If they refuse to change these inhumane fatwas, they certainly cannot say that Islam is not involved in “isolated" attacks because Islam is a religion of peace!" he adds.
At the end of his post Hocine Drouiche wishes Happy New Year to all "Muslim, Jewish, Christian and atheist friends."
Read also
His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry congratulates Ukrainians on Unity Day
The Primate of the UOC called on Ukrainians to remember that we are all part of our state, and there are no "redundant" Ukrainians.
Funeral service for young reader: "He was a devoted servant of the Church"
The young man dedicated his life to serving God and building the Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious.
Trump demands apology from the bishop who spoke about “LGBT children”
The President stated that the Anglican bishop, who called on him to have mercy upon “LGBT children”, is dragging the church into political games.
Zelensky assures of Ukraine's 'sobornist' on Unity Day
The President stated that 100 years ago, "Right-Bank and Left-Bank Ukraine united into a single state."
In Tokmak, Russian authorities sentence UOC priest to 14 years
The UOC cleric was accused of espionage.
Zoria complains that UOC communities obstruct transition of churches to OCU
The spokesperson for the OCU hopes for the implementation of an anti-church law in Ukraine, which would streamline transferring churches to his jurisdiction.