Muslims imprisoned in Luxembourg’s state prison in Schrassig are not at risk of becoming radicalised, the country’s Justice minister has said.
Responding to fears raised by a Muslim leader in Luxembourg, Felix Braz said he took the suggestion seriously but also praised the penitentiary’s framework for supporting Muslim inmates and preventing their radicalisation.
“The claim that Muslim inmates are not supported in Luxembourg’s prison is far from reality,” the minister said.
Around 200 people of the Muslim faith are inmates at Scrassig prison, where the minister said they had access to a Koran, prayer rugs, a misbaha (beads) and halal meat, when requested.
They are also given time and space for prayer in the presence of an imam and to observe the annual fast known as Ramadan.
Furthermore, the minister said that steps to prevent the radicalisation of prison inmates formed part of a raft of anti-terrorism measures adopted on March 27, 2015.
He said these measures aim to prevent people from becoming radicalised into becoming terrorists and sets out to help reintegrate people who may have been brainwashed by radicals into normal society.
“When it comes to prisons, the measures adopted aim to raise awareness about the phenomenon of radicalisation and to open dialogue in prisons to help fight against it,” he said.
The minister’s response comes after Jean-Luc Karlskind, Deputy Chairman of the Luxembourg Shoura Council, a body representing mosques in the Grand Duchy, raised concerns that Muslims were poorly supervised in Schrassig prison.
He has proposed establishing a free helpline for people who suspect that their friends or family members may be adopting extreem political, social and religious ideals, inspired by radical Islamists.