Flemish Government Moves to Suspend Turkish-Linked Mosques Over Foreign Influence Concerns

On Tuesday, the Flemish Minister of the Interior himself announced that he had opened a procedure to suspend three recognized mosques linked to the Turkish Diyanet due to the foreign interference observed there, reports Belga. This measure follows the conclusions of a control carried out by the Flemish information and screening service and presented in camera to the Flemish parliament by this service, representatives of OCAM and the State Security. The report states that infractions - essentially concerning the prohibition of foreign influence - of the Flemish decree on the recognition of local places of worship were found in the twelve recognized Diyanet mosques.

The mosques concerned have until November 15 to get in order. A hearing of the representatives of the three mosques under suspension, in Lommel, Aalst and Heusden-Zolder, is planned. A final decision by the minister is expected next month. Finally, a warning was sent to the nine other mosques.

In Flanders, there are 24 recognized mosques, 12 of which are under the Diyanet.