Five imams have seen their work permits being withdrawn after it was uncovered that the Turkish government was funding them. They risk being evicted if they are not employed by the end of this year.
The Flemish region's Employment Minister Zuhal Demir (N-VA) has withdrawn the work permits of five Turkish nationals, all imams who have worked in mosques in Ghent, Antwerp, Diest, Sint-Niklaas and Lommel for at least four years.
The decision comes after a screening by the Flemish Government revealed that the imams were being financed by a foreign state, namely the Government of Turkey. This marks the first time the government has acted so harshly.
"I take strong action against this kind of practice," Demir said. "This is about financing by a foreign government. We have to be short on time and take strict action against that. We cannot simply turn a blind eye to something like this."
Links to 'authoritarian Erdogan regime'
The mosques concerned belong to the Turkish Muslim network Diyanet, a religious umbrella that is directed and funded by the Turkish government and oversees 43 mosques in Flanders.
Specifically, the imams are civil servants employed by the Turkish government. However, since 1 May this year, tightened Flemish regulations have made it illegal for economic migrants employed in Flanders to be on the payroll of a foreign government, meaning their situation is no longer allowed.
Increasing wariness of threats through foreign interference in recent years is behind this tightening of the law. "This funding model is part of the Turkish doctrines that target the mosques," said Demir: "You cannot separate the Diyanet network from the authoritarian Erdogan regime that rules in Ankara."
Given that Demir has decided not to renew their work permits (meaning their residence permits are also expired), the five imams risk having to leave the territory if they do not find a Belgian employer before the end of this year. However, they can still appeal to the Council of State within 60 days or apply for their work permit through another Belgian non-profit organisation.
The five imams are the first against whom action is being taken, but more may follow.
