[ad_1]
The Islamic Religious Community in Austria (IGGÖ) and the former military imam Abdulmedzid Sijamhodzic, who was deposed by Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP), have mutually agreed: the cleric is retiring from office. This is accompanied by massive criticism of the “unprecedented campaign against the imam, which has no legal basis.
As reported, Tanner ended the collaboration with the Federal Army Imam a month ago, without notifying the IGGÖ in advance. The occasion was accusations that Sijamhodzic had publicly shown sympathy for the former jihadist movement in Bosnia on social media. A photo showing the military imam with Bosnian General Atif Dudakovic served as evidence. It is said that he was responsible for the murder of hundreds of Serbs in the Balkans. Tanner spoke of “political Islam” in this context.
Pegida’s circles note
The basis of the personnel decision was the information from the FPÖ circles. Specifically, the accusations come from the self-proclaimed “Islamist hunter” Irfan Peci, who is not a blank slate due to his sympathies for Pegida and Identitarios.
In this context, IGGÖ President Ümit Vural speaks of a “ruthless and purely advertising approach on the part of the Ministry.” Therefore, Sijamhodzic could no longer carry out his position in the previous way.
“Due to public prejudice, it no longer seems possible to critically review the principles on which the ministry’s decision is based. That is why, together with the Imam, we decided to make this bitter decision in the interest of the Muslim recruits of the Federal Army ”, explains IGGÖ Vural.
The accusations remain “diffuse”
The allegations against Sijamhodzic’s person, however, remain “diffuse” even after a more careful internal examination, according to the religious community. This is the accusation that Sijamhodzic had contact with a former Bosnian army general. But this was at a time when he had not yet been charged with possible war crimes. Furthermore, there is still no final judgment in this regard, argues the IGGÖ.
“Of course, it is unfortunate when a military imam shows sympathy for a certain ethnic group in his private appearance on social media. Their statements should in no way be construed as jihadists ”, emphasizes Vural.
The IGGÖ wants to fill the post as soon as possible and will inform the ministry of its decision.
