Will this really fix the problem? Is the problem really one of ignorance? Is it not more accurate to say that the problem is that these imams do not share French values? Will learning about French history really make them more likely to adopt those values? I doubt it. From the BBC, with thanks to Anthony:
France has proposed practical measures to ensure the country’s Muslim prayer leaders speak French and understand France’s way of life.
In a newspaper interview, Interior Minister Dominique de Villepin said that from September, future imams must study law, civics and history.
Three-quarters of France’s 1,200 imams are not French, and a third do not speak French, he told Le Parisien.
France has expelled several imams for preaching contrary to French law.
Mr de Villepin said it was unacceptable that so many Muslim prayer leaders in France do not speak the language of the country in which they live and preach.
He said imams must learn French – and receive further education in other subjects at French universities.