The French consulate in Morocco refused entry visas to several Moroccan imams and scholars during the month of Ramadan.
Morocco sent about 144 imams and university professors to nine foreign countries to participate in Ramadan events led by the Moroccan community and Muslims in those countries, according to a statement from the Hassan II Foundation for Moroccans Living Abroad.
Morocco’s Al-Hadath newspaper quoted one of the individuals as saying that visas are usually granted because applicants meet all the necessary conditions and guarantees. Most of them enter as part of official missions sent to preach to the Moroccan community in France during the month of Ramadan.
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Visas were denied to those who asked the Moroccan Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to intervene as soon as possible, so that imams can continue to fulfill their religious duties.
At the end of last year, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna announced the end of the “visa crisis”, as Paris reduced the number of permits issued to Moroccan nationals over the past two years.
“We have taken steps with our Moroccan partners to restore consular relations,” Colonna said during a joint press conference with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, after bilateral talks.
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