In Germany there is a discussion about a Church tax for mosque communities. Still some obstacles to the idea. How to Finance religious communities in Germany and Europe? An Overview.
The large Cologne mosque
The Christian churches
Where do the large Christian communities of your money? The legislators in the European countries have quite different answers. In Germany, the state is pushing for the churches of the tax. Usually, this amounts to nine percent of the wage – and income tax of the members of the Church. For the Tax collection by the state tax offices, the churches pay fees to the state, which is normally between two and four percent of the tax revenue.
As in Germany, the tax authority will also be in Sweden and Finland, money for the churches. There is this contribution, however, only one to two percent of taxable income. In France, the churches receive state support. They are dependent especially on the donations of its members. In the Netherlands, the funding is eliminated completely – the churches must take care of yourself so that members pay their contributions. In Belgium and Greece, the pastor, as civil servants are financed by the state, while the municipalities for the preservation of their buildings. In Italy and Spain is subject to a tax. However, it is not only for the financing of the churches, but also of the Italian culture in General. Very different the amount of this tax is In Italy, he is eight percent of the income tax, in Spain, at a tenth of this amount, i.e., at 0.8 percent.
Other religious communities in Germany
Also the Jewish communities are financed by a state-collected tax. It is levied on income and capital gains. As in the case of the Christian community, and the state receives for these services between two and four percent of the revenue.
However, not all religious communities are financed by taxes. For example, the approximately 800 municipalities in the Association of Evangelical free churches (VEF) are public-Law corporations. They are funded by donations.
Jewish communities in Germany: cooperation with the state. View in the synagogue of Augsburg
The financing of the mosque communities
The Islamic communities are dependent on donations. In addition, many mosques receive funds from abroad. In the municipalities of the Turkey-middle Association Ditib – to belong to him, around 900 mosques – pray about imams sent from Turkey and from there to be paid.
Also club contributions are provided in some mosques, however, count them, according to a study conducted by the Scientific service of the German Bundestag not to the main sources of income. Instead, the municipalities are financed partly through the sale of publications and other products, as well as revenue from events, such as concerts and cultural events, according to the study. “According to information from many municipalities, the majority of the community life through voluntary donations of the faithful, the so-called “Zakat”, in particular, on the occasion of the Friday prayer is to be funded,” the study of the Scientific service.
Hurdles of a tax-funding of mosque communities
In principle, the state could collect for mosque congregations in taxes. The circumstance does not preclude, however, that the municipalities to register their members. This means that the state is not known who is behind the religious community. But communities is the most crucial requirement for the Mosque to be used as a public-Law entity is recognized. Only when this prerequisite is met, can move the state for you to control. So far the only Islamic community that is recognized as as a public Corporation, is the Ahmadiyya community in the state of Hesse. It was classified in 2013 by the state of Hesse as such.
The idea is that mosque congregations and Church tax
In the debate, the idea of a Church tax for mosque communities has brought the lawyer Seyran Ateş, founder of the liberal Ibn-Rushd mosque in Berlin. “The current System should be changed, since the discussion of the embodiment of the Islam in Germany is under tremendous influence from abroad, said Ates in an Interview with DW TV. “This influence must be stopped.” The Change was mainly necessary because of foreign votes in Germany, and it prevented Muslims living significantly, to integrate themselves or their families in Germany and Europe. At the same time, Ates called on the Muslims to strengthen in the discussion of the identity of in Germany, practiced Islam. “You must have this rules. You need to give your Religion here in Germany, eight. Therefore, Muslims in Germany should do something for Islam in Germany.”
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