I think this is actually a pretty good idea to tackle fundamentalism from leaking in. Pretty novel idea to me actually, never heard of this (even though it's over 100 years old)The bill, which is partly aimed at tackling Islamist radicalism, gives Muslims more legal security but bans foreign funding for mosques and imams.
Austria's Integration Minister, Sebastian Kurz, defended the reforms but Muslim leaders say they fail to treat them equally.
The 1912 law made Islam an official religion in Austria.
It has been widely held up as a model for Europe in dealing with Islam.The new measures, first proposed three years ago, include the protection of religious holidays and training for imams.
But Muslim groups say the ban on foreign funding is unfair as international support is still permitted for the Christian and Jewish faiths.
They say the legalisation reflects a widespread mistrust of Muslims and some are planning to contest it in the constitutional court.
Mr Kurz told the BBC the reforms were a "milestone" for Austria and aimed to stop certain Muslim countries using financial means to exert "political influence".
"What we want is to reduce the political influence and control from abroad and we want to give Islam the chance to develop freely within our society and in line with our common European values," he said.
Instead of crying 'kick the muslims out don't let the muslims in' they want to create a system whereby muslims are forced to integrate rather than rely on muslims abroad for money or ideology.
I can't see why they don't apply it to all religions. Might get struck down on inequality
