There is concern over Austria’s reform of its century-old law on Islam, which used to be heralded as model for a continent in dealing with Muslims.  Critics say the controversial reform isn’t fair to Muslims, and are planning a court challenge.

The changes were first proposed three years ago.  The new legislation includes the protection of Islamic holidays and training for imams. But it also bans foreign funding for mosques and imams, and says that imams must be able to speak German.  Muslim groups say these changes are unfair, because international support is still permitted for the Christian and Jewish faiths.  The claim the changes in the law will spread mistrust of Muslims, and they’re planning to contest it in the constitutional court. 

Austrian Integration Minister Sebastian Kurz insists the reforms are a “milestone” for Austria and will stop certain Muslim countries from using financial means to exert social and “political influence”. 

Europe is twisting itself into knots trying to find a balance in dealing with Islamic minorities.  France and Denmark are seeking more dialogue after terrorist attacks by criminal who claimed to act in the name of Islam, despite being condemned by most Islamic clerics.  Germany is trying to tamp down idiotic marches organized by the “Pegida” group, which claims to want to stop the “Islamization” of Western Europe.