Belgium Expels Top Imam Over Anti-Semitic Remarks, Citing National Security Concerns

Mohamed Toujgani is being caught up by facts dating back to 2009 and whose video was published in 2019, reports RTBF. "Lord, Master of the Worlds, pour terror into the hearts of the oppressive Zionists. [...] Lord, may the blood of the martyrs be a weapon under the feet of the oppressive Zionists, and may that blood be a burning fire that burns them and a wind that lashes them. [...] O Lord, demolish them," is heard in one of the incriminating elements noted by the Belgian intelligence services. Sammy Mahdi considers this speech as an incitement to burn the Jews. "The security services believe that this man must be considered a current, real and serious threat to national security. We are talking here about extremism and interference," insists the Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration before the Chamber.

The decision to withdraw Mohamed Toujgani’s residence permit has provoked reactions. Georges-Henri Beauthier, his lawyer, believes that the Secretary of State’s statements are shocking. "First, there is the separation of powers which requires that he does not take a position on a judgment that says very clear things. And two, why throw false things calling for hatred? Someone who is said to want to burn the Jews, is someone who risks a series of invectives if not more dangerous acts," he explains.

Stressing that he has no authority over imams not attached to subsidized mosques, the Executive of Muslims of Belgium (EMB) recalled that it had firmly condemned "the anti-Semitic remarks of the imam (Mohamed Toujgani) who, in the meantime, has regretted his remarks and apologized to the Jewish community of Belgium". As for Abdessamad Belhaj, a researcher at the Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World (CISMOC) at UCLouvain, he assures that Imam Toujgani is not radical. "He practices a moderate Sunni Islam even if he is traditionalist and sometimes emotional. He calls for living together, social peace and prevention against radicalization".

"Given the position of President of the League of Moroccan Imams of Belgium of Mr. Toujgani, I hope that Mr. Mahdi really has an important new element to explain the taking of this decision. Personally, like my competent police services, I have not been informed of the occurrence of a new element regarding Mr. Toujgani," said the mayor of Molenbeek, Catherine Moureaux.