Homophobic imam expelled from Belgium

Belgium has banned a Turkish imam from staying on its soil after homophobic statements were broadcast on social media.

The Belgian government has issued an order to leave the territory to a Turkish imam working in a mosque in the Dutch-speaking north of Belgium, who is accused of having made homophobic remarks on social networks, we learned on Thursday 28 January from official sources.

State Secretary for Asylum and Migration Sammy Mahdi (CD&V) has ordered a Turkish imam to leave the territory after him disseminates homophobic statements on social media.

« Those who come to spread hatred in our society have no place here, » he said in a statement. The Immigration Office received a request for renewal of the residence and work permit of the imam in question in October 2020. It then carried out an investigation, which revealed that the person could infringe public order or national security, explained the secretary of state.

Therefore, the man’s residence permit will not be extended, he added. At the same time, the imam is also ordered to leave the territory.

« As an imam, you have an exemplary function, especially if you have already obtained the right to work in Belgium. Anyone who refuses to respect our values ​​must suffer the consequences », explained in a statement the Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration, Sammy Mahdi.

The case dates back to at least last October when the Immigration Office received a request to renew the residence and work permit of the implicated imam. After the investigations carried out by this structure, it was revealed that the imam could harm public order or national security.

This refusal to renew a residence permit was notified to the person concerned on Wednesday, who has 30 days to leave Belgium. The decision, taken in mid-December and confirmed in mid-January after its hearing by the immigration services, may however give rise to an appeal.

Earlier today, the Flemish Minister for Living Together, Bart Somers (Open Vld), announced that he was starting the procedure for lifting the recognition of the Yesil Camii mosque in Houthalen-Helchteren, Limburg, due to the homophobic statements by the imam. It is not certain that these facts relate to the same man.

The mosque is now the target of a request for suspension of its approval by Flanders. It was one of the places of worship « recognized » by the regional authorities, that is to say which could benefit from public funding.

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Gabriel MIHAI

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