France delivers visas for Algerian imams despite tensions

France has issued visas to Algerian imams for Ramadan despite the diplomatic tensions between the two states, according to The National.

Despite retaliatory visa bans at a European level for senior Algerian officials, the French Interior Ministry will still issue temporary visas to foreign imams due to shortages of religious leaders during Ramadan celebrations.

With an estimated six million worshippers, Islam is the second biggest religion in France and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau argued it would be unfair to hinder religious practice in France as a result of a diplomatic row.

The National