Mosques In Austria: Closed Doors And Uncertain Future

In 2018, Austria's government announced plans to shut down seven mosques and expel dozens of imams in a crackdown on political Islam and foreign financing of religious groups. The decision was based on a 2015 law that prevents religious communities from receiving funding from abroad. While Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz stated that the move was intended to protect the country from radical religious extremism, it angered the Turkish government and was denounced by Austrian Muslims as a violation of minority rights and social integration policies. It is unclear whether these mosques remain closed as of 2024.

Austria's government plans to shut down seven mosques

In 2018, Austria's right-wing government announced plans to shut down seven mosques and expel dozens of imams in what it described as "just the beginning" of a push against Islamist ideology and foreign funding of religious groups. The coalition government, an alliance of conservatives and the far right, came to power after Europe's migration crisis, pledging to prevent another influx and restrict benefits for new immigrants and refugees.

The decision to close the mosques was based on the "law on Islam" passed in 2015, which banned foreign funding of religious groups and required Muslim societies to have "a positive fundamental view" of the Austrian state and society. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who had previously overseen the passing of this law, stated that "political Islam's parallel societies and radicalizing tendencies have no place in our country." Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache echoed this sentiment, calling the move "just the beginning."

One society that runs a mosque in Vienna and is influenced by the "Grey Wolves," a Turkish nationalist youth group, would be shut down for operating illegally. This group is known for its support for a single Turkish nation stretching from the Balkans to Central Asia and has been associated with violence against left-wing and Kurdish activists. Additionally, an Arab Muslim group that runs at least six mosques would also be shut down due to suspected links with jihadist doctrines and organizations like Islamic State and Al Qaeda.

The Austrian government's decision sparked criticism from Turkey, with presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin calling it "Islamophobic, racist, and discriminatory." Turkey's ruling AK Party, which has roots in political Islam, also expressed anger, leading to a veto of NATO's cooperation with Austria in 2017. The Austrian government's move was timed just before the Turkish election, which some criticized as playing into the hands of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Austrian government plans to expel dozens of foreign-funded imams

In June 2018, the Austrian government announced plans to shut down seven mosques and expel dozens of foreign-funded imams. The move was part of a crackdown on "political Islam" and foreign financing of religious groups. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz stated that the decision was based on a 2015 law that prohibits religious communities from receiving funding from abroad. This law also requires Muslim organisations to have "a positive fundamental view towards (Austria's) state and society".

The seven mosques that were earmarked for closure included one run by a group influenced by the \"Grey Wolves", a Turkish nationalist youth group. This mosque was to be shut down for operating illegally. Additionally, the government planned to dissolve an organisation called the Arab Religious Community, which ran six mosques. The government accused this group of promoting pro-jihadist doctrines and having ties to Islamic State and Al Qaeda.

The Austrian government's decision affected up to 60 imams belonging to the Turkish-Islamic Union for Cultural and Social Cooperation in Austria (ATIB). ATIB is a Muslim group with close ties to the Turkish government. The government accused these imams of receiving foreign funding, which is illegal under the 2015 law. A government handout stated that 40 imams were under review, with two already receiving negative rulings. ATIB acknowledged that its imams were paid by Diyanet, the Turkish state religious authority, but they were working on having them paid from funds within Austria.

The Austrian government's decision was met with strong criticism from Turkey, which condemned the move as "Islamophobic, racist and discriminatory". Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, took to Twitter to express his disapproval, stating that the Austrian government's practices violated "universal legal principles, social integration policies, minority rights and the ethics of co-existence".

The decision to shut down the mosques and expel the imams was not without controversy within Austria as well. Some accused the government of targeting Muslim communities for political gain and driving Arab Muslims underground. There were also concerns about the timing of the announcement, just before the Turkish election, which could be seen as playing into the hands of President Erdogan. However, the government defended its decision as necessary to curb the influence of radical ideologies and promote integration and loyalty to western values.

The decision has been denounced by Austrian Muslims

The Austrian government's decision to close seven mosques and expel imams has been denounced by Austrian Muslims. The Islamic Faith Community (IGGÖ) has demanded that the government refrain from dissolutions, arguing that it is better to replace individual imams who preach extremist ideologies than to close entire mosque communities. This sentiment was echoed by IGGÖ President Ibrahim Olgun, who criticised the timing of the announcement during Ramadan and accused the Austrian government of "discrediting the religious community as politically calculated".

The Muslim Youth Austria group, which is part of the Bundesjugendvertretung (National Youth Representation), has also spoken out against the decision. They have stated that the move will drive Arab Muslims underground and further fuel anti-Muslim sentiment in the country. They also argue that the decision is a violation of minority rights and social integration policies.

The Austrian Islamic Faith Community has expressed concern that the rapid closure of mosques could be more easily justified under the amended Islamic Law, which grants the Office of Culture greater authority to close mosques without delay in the name of protecting public safety. They fear that this could result in the unauthorised closure of mosques and intervene in internal religious matters, placing Muslims in Austria at a disadvantage compared to followers of other religions.

The legal representative of the sponsoring association of the Meidling mosque, one of the mosques that was closed after the Vienna terrorist attack, believes that the Austrian government's actions are politically motivated. They argue that the focus on certain mosques appears to be random, as other prayer houses mentioned in investigation files have faced no consequences. They also highlight the unsuccessful nature of these closures, as one mosque quickly reopened after a legal complaint, and the other remains pending.

The move has been criticised by the Turkish government

The move to close seven mosques in Austria has been criticised by the Turkish government, which has called the decision ""Islamophobic, racist and discriminatory".

A spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ibrahim Kalin, took to Twitter to express his condemnation, stating:

> "Austria's decision to shut down numerous mosques and deport imams with a lame excuse is a reflection of the anti-Islam, racist and discriminatory populist wave in this country."

The Turkish government has accused Austria of targeting Muslims "for the sake of scoring cheap political points". This accusation comes amid already strained relations between the two countries, largely due to Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz's stance on immigration and the integration of Muslims. Kurz has pushed for the EU to break off Turkey's EU membership negotiations, and has sought to limit the EU's ties with Turkey. In response, Turkey vetoed NATO cooperation with Austria in 2017, disrupting the organisation's partnership activities with 41 countries.

The Austrian government's decision to close the mosques is based on suspicions of links to Turkish nationalists and foreign funding. In April 2018, images emerged of children in a Turkish-financed mosque re-enacting the World War One Battle of Gallipoli, intensifying a nationwide debate over the integration of people of Turkish origin in Austrian society. The Austrian Muslim community has also denounced the closures, with the president of the IGGiOe federation, Ibrahim Olgun, stating:

> "Solutions should be worked out together around a table rather than unilaterally on the backs of the Muslim minority."

Other European far-right leaders welcomed the announcement

In 2018, the Austrian government announced plans to shut down seven mosques and expel up to 60 imams in what was described as a crackdown on "political Islam". The move was welcomed by other European far-right leaders.

Marine Le Pen, the leader of the French Front National, said on Twitter: "Austria is taking things in hand and showing that ‘when you want to, you can’." Meanwhile, Matteo Salvini, head of Italy’s League and interior minister in the new government, tweeted: "Those who exploit their faith to endanger a country’s security should be expelled!"

The Austrian government's decision was based on suspicions that the targeted mosques had links to Turkish nationalists and foreign funding. In April 2018, images emerged of children in a Turkish-backed mosque re-enacting the World War I Battle of Gallipoli, playing dead and saluting while draped in Turkish flags. The mosque in question was run by ATIB, an Islamic organisation in Austria with close ties to the Turkish government.

The Austrian Chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, defended the move as necessary to enforce the 'Law on Islam' and prevent the formation of "parallel societies, political Islam and radicalisation". However, the decision was met with criticism from the Turkish government, who called it "Islamophobic, racist and discriminatory", and from Muslim community groups in Austria, who voiced their "indignation" at the closures.

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