Imams returned to Turkey as new Islam law comes into force

Austria’s new law forbidding Muslim organisations and imams from being funded from abroad has claimed its first two casualties, writes Christa Pongratz-Lippitt.

Two imams whose salaries were paid from Turkey were sent home in compliance with legislation passed by the Austrian Parliament in February 2015, aimed at reducing political influence from abroad.

“Residence permits for imams will no longer be renewed and new applications for permits are no longer permitted if the imam’s salary is funded from abroad”, Metin Akyürek, a member of the executive committee of the Turkish-Islamic Mosque Association for Social and Cultural Cooperation, to which the two imams belong, told religion.at. The salaries of 65 imams were funded by Turkey, he said.

Imams are also required to speak and preach in German in mosques in Austria.