Outcry over Hungary’s anti-Islam decree

Asothalom banned mosque construction and the use of a muezzin at prayer times last week

BUDAPEST: One of Hungary’s main Muslim organisations decried on Monday what it said were ‘xenophobic’ steps taken by an ultra-nationalist town mayor to preserve traditional Christian values and prevent immigration.

Asothalom, close to the Serbian border, last week banned mosque construction, the use of a muezzin at prayer times and the wearing of clothes such as the niqab and the burkini.



The Hungarian Islamic Community (MIK) said in a statement it was “shocked by the increasing xenophobia and serious Islamophobia in Hungary which has now peaked with the decree”.

MIK, set up in 1990, is the oldest group representing Hungary’s Muslim community, and is estimated to have 40,000 members.

“We have requested in writing that the Constitutional Court examine this decree,” its statement said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 29^th, 2016.