Mosque closures

ISTANBUL: Austria’s decision to close down mosques and expel foreign-funded imams is a threat to dialogue between religions, and the decision should be changed, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said yesterday.

He made the comments at a news conference with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov. Yildirim said it is a “great mistake and greatly unfortunate” that the decision came shortly before Austria takes over the presidency of the European Union.

The Austrian government declined to comment. – Reuters