An Austrian report on the foreign activities of Turkey’s religious authority, Diyanet, has sparked strong reactions in Germany. Both the CDU and CSU have criticized Diyanet for promoting Islamist ideology and its ties to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
They are calling for strict countermeasures against what they see as foreign influence, especially given that Diyanet operates under Erdogan’s direct control.
Diyanet’s teachings, particularly its rejection of other religions, have raised concerns. The authority’s head, Ali Erbas, has publicly condemned all other faiths, and Diyanet’s materials, such as the Ilmihal for women, have even justified actions like wife-beating and killing those who insult the Prophet. This book has been banned in Germany for two years.
According to Austria’s Volksblatt, Diyanet plans to ramp up its missionary work in Europe as part of its 2024-2028 strategy. The budget for this push will increase by 70%, with a focus on recruiting foreign-born Turks to spread its message. Turkish President Erdogan’s foreword to the plan stresses the importance of promoting Islamic awareness, particularly among young people, in line with the principles of the Koran and Sunnah.
In Germany, CDU lawmaker Christoph de Vries has called for the closure of religious institutions under foreign control and those observed by the domestic intelligence service. He also advocates for a documentation center on political Islamism, similar to one in Austria, and the re-establishment of an expert group on Islamism within Germany’s Ministry of the Interior.
While Austria’s government has been quiet on the issue, Diyanet, through its Austrian counterpart Atib, has significant influence over the Turkish community there, sparking debate about its growing power.
