Austrian reform singles out Muslims for harsh new requirements

The law requires imams to preach in German, closes mosques of fewer than 300 people, and bars foreign funding of Muslim organizations. The government says it will give Islam an 'Austrian character,' but many say it is anti-Islam.

The Austrian parliament Wednesday singled out Islam as a faith by passing a law that restricts its adherents' religious activities. The new “Law on Islam” bars outside funding of Islamic religious communities, forces small mosques to close within a year, and requires imams to preach in German.

Analysts say the law, which the parliament passed overwhelmingly, is an attempt to “Austrianize” Islam and bring more official oversight of the faith at a time when fears of radicalization are rife in Europe.

The law lays down regulation that aren't required of faiths like Christianity and Judaism. It amends a 1912 law, considered progressive at the time, that recognized Islam as an official faith. Keep reading

In the first paragraph, this articles makes a reference to "many" who say the new law is "anti-Islam." One does not find out until the sixth paragraph who the "many" are--small Muslim groups most affected by the new law and "Muslim nations and a variety of prominent Islamic figures" who can be expected to object to any restrictions upon Islam. A number of these countries such Saudi Arabia do not permit any other religion beside Islam or turn a blind eye to the Muslim persecution of religious minorities.

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