An influential French Muslim group said on Sunday it had endorsed French government plans to set up a special foundation to help finance new mosques. The proposals by Interior Minister Dominique de Villepin would set up a Foundation of Islamic Works able to distribute funds, including those collected abroad, into new mosques or the training of prayer leaders in France's large Muslim community. Dalil Boubakeur, who heads the French Council of the Muslim Faith and the Grand Mosque in Paris, said in a statement the Council supported the creation of the foundation which would be at the service of all Muslims.
