Belgium Expels Top Imam from Largest Mosque over National Security Concerns

The State Secretary took this decision "due to signs of a serious danger to national security," he said in a statement. The decision was notified to Mohamed Toujgani, who is ordered to leave the country with a ban on returning for a period of ten years. According to the latest news, the imam of the large Al-Khalil mosque, of Moroccan origin and who had lived in Belgium since 1982, would have already left the territory, reports 7 sur 7.

To read: Belgium Expels Turkish Imam Over Homophobic Social Media Posts

"In the past, we have given too much leeway to radical preachers. This man was probably the most influential preacher in Belgium. With this decision, we are making a difference and sending a clear signal: we will not tolerate those who divide and threaten our national security," warned Sammy Mahdi. And to add: "Whoever sows hatred, divides our society and poses a threat to our national security, is not welcome in our country. Not today, and not in the years to come either".

The imam, known for his controversies, did not master either Dutch or French, despite his many years spent in Belgium. In a video published in 2009, he called for the burning of "oppressive Zionists".