Flanders: Gov't to recognize mosques

Flanders: Gov't to recognize mosques

There are now 17 mosques in the running for recognition in Flanders, according to a response by Flemish Minister for Home Affairs, Urban Policy, Housing and Civic Integration, Marino Keulen, to a written question by Flemish parliament member Wim Van Dijck (Vlaams Belang).

There are currently seven mosques recognized in Flanders.  They can be financed by the provinces, have a right to Flemish subsidies for renovations and a salary for their imam.

Keulen has meanwhile began the second round of recognitions.  There are seventeen mosques in the running.  Five mosques in Limburg, five in Antwerp, three in East-Flanders, three in West-Flanders and one in Flemish Brabant.  Keulen sent the seventeen files to the municipalities and provinces, who must give their advice.  According to Keulen's cabinet, the recognition procedure will be finished around April of this year.

The seven recognized mosques have not yet received any subsidies, because they did not comply with the necessary conditions, as regarding mosque administration and presenting book-keeping and budgets.

Source: HLN (Dutch)

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