Leading members of the German ruling government coalition are demanding that Muslims pay an income tax surcharge of 10% for their local place of worship in the same way that most Christians do.
Despite criticism from some Muslim communities, they maintain that a state-collected tax for all Muslims would help to boost allegiance to moderate interpretations of Islam and counter the appeal of wealthy foreign donors who promote more radical versions.
According to a report by the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper and German public television, the government plans to force foreign state donors to make any financial contributions to German Muslim communities transparent. The report indicated that the measures were designed to target Kuwait and Qatar, which are among countries known to make large contributions to foreign Muslim communities. But the primary focus appears to be Saudi Arabia.
Thorsten Frei, deputy head of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s right-wing Christian Democratic Union party and the Christian Social Union in Parliament, told the Washington Post: “Besides Qatar and the [United Arab Emirates], what we’re mostly concerned about in the Gulf region is Saudi Arabia.”
He cited federal statistics showing that the vast majority of German Islamic State members are believed to be part of the Salafi movement, which is being promoted by Saudi Arabia. “We need to make sure that Islam in Germany emancipates itself from foreign influences,” said Frei.
According to the National Post, there is disagreement over whether such a system would have to be mandatory, as proposed by Frei and others. Many Muslims already donate 2.5% of their income, which is spent to help with the living costs of people in need.
Emma Woollacott is a freelance business journalist. Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications, including the Guardian, the Times, Forbes and the BBC.
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Leading members of the German ruling government coalition are demanding that Muslims pay an income tax surcharge of 10% for their local place of worship in the same way that most Christians do.
Despite criticism from some Muslim communities, they maintain that a state-collected tax for all Muslims would help to boost allegiance to moderate interpretations of Islam and counter the appeal of wealthy foreign donors who promote more radical versions.
According to a report by the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper and German public television, the government plans to force foreign state donors to make any financial contributions to German Muslim communities transparent. The report indicated that the measures were designed to target Kuwait and Qatar, which are among countries known to make large contributions to foreign Muslim communities. But the primary focus appears to be Saudi Arabia.
Thorsten Frei, deputy head of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s right-wing Christian Democratic Union party and the Christian Social Union in Parliament, told the Washington Post: “Besides Qatar and the [United Arab Emirates], what we’re mostly concerned about in the Gulf region is Saudi Arabia.”
He cited federal statistics showing that the vast majority of German Islamic State members are believed to be part of the Salafi movement, which is being promoted by Saudi Arabia. “We need to make sure that Islam in Germany emancipates itself from foreign influences,” said Frei.
According to the National Post, there is disagreement over whether such a system would have to be mandatory, as proposed by Frei and others. Many Muslims already donate 2.5% of their income, which is spent to help with the living costs of people in need.
Emma Woollacott is a freelance business journalist. Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications, including the Guardian, the Times, Forbes and the BBC.
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Germany changes employer pension contribution rules to boost saving
Germany's robust economy leads to minimum wage hike
Germany accuses recruitment agency workers of failing to pay social security for Ryanair pilots
