Austrian parliament recently passed a law that will regulate
how Islam is administered and practiced in Austria. Such a law is the need of
the hour in our country too.
German translation of the Koran:
The Austrian law bans foreign funding for Islamic
organizations that will go a long way in stopping funding for terrorism. This
law requires Austrian Muslims to use a standardized German translation of the
Koran so that people at large know what is preached in mosques. The new
law also requires imams to be able to speak German. The legislation requires
the nearly 450 Muslim organizations in Austria to demonstrate a "positive
approach towards society and the state" in order to continue receiving
official licensing.
This law met small resistance in the country which
is majorly Roman Catholic. Austria's biggest Islamic organization, IGGiO, has accepted
the law but its youth wing opposed it. The law was also opposed by the Turkish-financed
Turkish-Islamic Union in Austria (ATIB), which runs many mosques.
Islamist militancy on the rise:
While the government supported the bill saying that Islamist
militancy is on the rise all across the world and around 170 people have left
Austria to join jihadists in countries like Syria and Iraq. Austria's
neighbor Germany has also experienced an upsurge of anti-Islam
sentiment. Earlier this month, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls also raised
the notion of banning foreign funding of Islamic organizations.
Halal
meals:
The negative point of this law is that Muslims in
Austria will have the right to halal
meals in their institutions as well as in public schools. They will also be
allowed time off work on Islamic holidays.
Opposition from Turkey:
Turkey supports Muslim organisations in Austria
financially. This law has been criticized by Muslims and Turkey’s Government.
This law will have an impact of relationship of Austria with Muslim countries,
especially Turkey.
Targeting jihad recruiters:
Here, it is important to mention another news of
November 2014. Austrian police arrested 13 people and raided homes, prayer
rooms and mosques around the country in a mass operation targeting suspected
jihad recruiters. Media reports said that a Vienna-based Serbian preacher was
the main suspect. Police also seized
“terrorist propaganda,” computer files and money in various homes. The Interior
Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner said, “The operation confirms our clear
message to all jihadists in Austria: you are not safe here”.
Need of such a law in India:
Such a law that aims at tackling Islamist radicalism
is needed in our country too that is battling Islamist militancy for decades.
The Muslim groups say the ban on foreign funding is unfair. The legislation
reflects a widespread mistrust among people about Muslims.
Now, the question is if we can follow various
policies supported by the West, do we have guts to pass such a law in India? We
know that many mosques and Madrassas are not doing any service to the country
apart from generating anti national elements.
In regard to stopping foreign funding of Muslim
establishments, we all know well that terrorist outfits and organisations
associated to them are funded from Pakistani establishment. If we are able to
pass such a law, then the security agencies will be a lot more successful in
curtailing terrorism in India.
Now, it is up to the think tanks and government
of India to decide whether they will continue to follow the appeasement policy
or will they take any tough stand against the money flowing in Kashmir and
other parts aimed to attack innocent people of our country.
PUBLISHED ON - http://shankhnaad.net/india/social-harmony/item/207-curtailing-radical-islam-foreign-funding-austria
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