Belgium’s Asylum and Migration Minister Sammy Mahdi (CD&V) has ordered a Turkish imam to leave the territory accusing him of publishing homophobic statements on social media. 

The Immigration Office received a request to extend the residence and work permit of the imam in October 2020. The investigation that followed showed that the imam could in fact be violating public order or national security, said the minister explained, adding that the man’s residence permit would not be extended.

At the same time, the imam was also ordered to leave the territory. This decision was made in December 2020, but the imam had the right to counter the decision, which he did in January. However, according to the minister, there were no new elements that could change the decision. The Immigration Service therefore sent the decision to the municipality of residence of the person concerned. 

Mahdi said: “We cannot tolerate the stigmatization of the LGBT community and the dissemination of such messages. It is difficult for me to accept the homophobic statements made within the religious community. As an imam you should set an example, especially if you have already been granted the right to work in Belgium. our values ​​must suffer the consequences.”