Belgium revokes work permits for Turkish imams
Belgium, which had previously moved to revoke the licenses of mosques claiming they were 'under the influence of the Ankara government,' has now revoked the work permits of five Turkish imams for the first time.
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In Belgium, Flemish Minister of Employment Zühal Demir has revoked the work permits of five Turkish imams affiliated with the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), whose salaries are paid by Turkey, citing 'foreign influence.'
The imams, who have been serving in mosques in Ghent, Antwerp, Diest, Sint-Niklaas, and Lommel for approximately four years, have been given three months to leave the country. The imams have the right to appeal the decision to the Council of State.
Minister Demir took this action under a regulation aimed at preventing foreign interference that came into effect in May, which 'prohibits migrant workers from receiving payments from a foreign government.'
It is stated that the law, which is being applied to five Turkish imams for the first time, will also be enforced for other Diyanet officials.
Speaking to the Belgian media, Demir said, "I am taking strict measures regarding funding from a foreign government. We cannot just ignore this." Demir had previously stated her belief that the licenses of all Diyanet mosques should be revoked. According to Demir, "the Diyanet network is an integral part of the authoritarian Erdoğan regime."
There are a total of 43 mosques in Belgium, 12 of which are recognized by official authorities. Belgium is also debating the revocation of the licenses of some mosques due to 'intense influence from Ankara.'
Last year, the Flemish Ministry of Interior stated that 12 Diyanet-affiliated mosques in Belgium were 'too much under the influence of the Ankara government' and had moved to revoke the licenses of three of these mosques.