Academics & Education

Austria orders edits to school textbook that called Hamas a ‘resistance movement’ Officials step in over 'one-sided' and 'highly problematic' wording in geography book

(National-UAE) An Austrian school textbook that described Hamas as a “resistance movement” has been rewritten under official orders. The geography book for secondary school pupils is being modified in light of the war in Gaza triggered by Hamas’s October 7 attack on […]

Government & Politics

Vienna honors victims of terror attack 1 year later Austrian leaders have taken part in a memorial service to remember the people killed during a shooting spree in central Vienna in 2020. Criticism remains over the government's actions in the run-up to the violence.

(Deutsche Welle) Vienna marked one year on Tuesday since a deadly terror attack that left four people dead. On November 2, 2020, a sympathizer of the so-called Islamic State (IS) group shot and killed four people in the Austrian capital before he himself was […]

Government & Politics

Muslim Brotherhood’s influence in Europe laid bare Austrian report says taxpayers are unwittingly funding the group, which has close ties to Turkey

(National-UAE) The Muslim Brotherhood has established vast influence in Europe and public bodies are unwittingly funding its activities, experts believe. Despite having only a few hundred senior figures in Europe, Brotherhood activists have sought to portray themselves as representatives for the entire […]

Government & Politics

Austria appoints Jordanian as security chief Appointment follows criticism of old security organisation after failure to prevent attack by Islamic State sympathiser in November

(Middle East Eye) An Austrian-Jordanian has been appointed … head of the country’s new security agency, following harsh criticism of the previous institution’s failure to prevent an attack by an alleged Islamic State (IS) sympathiser. The appointment of Omar Haijawi-Pirchner as head […]

Government & Politics

Austria adopts anti-terrorism laws that put Muslim Brotherhood groups in crosshairs Extremist groups' symbols banned with a €10,000 ... fine for offenders

(National-UAE) Austria has adopted new penalties against the promotion of extremist groups, including those with links to “religiously-motivated crimes,” that will ban the symbols of a range of terrorist groups. The new federal law prohibits the use of symbols representing ISIS, Al […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Austria sparks uproar with ‘Islam map’

(AFP) The Austrian government came under fire Thursday for a new “Islam map” showing the location of mosques and associations around the country, with religious groups saying it would stigmatise Austria’s Muslim population. Earlier, Integration Minister Susanne Raab unveiled an internet website […]

Clerics & Preachers

Austria calls for European register of Muslim imams Austria has already adopted an obligatory imam registry among other measures aimed at reducing terrorism after a November terror attack in Vienna.

(Deutsche Welle) Since the start of 2021, Austria has required the registration of all imams in the country. The mandate was one of several new measures Chancellor Sebastian Kurz’s government adopted after a November 2 terror attack in Vienna. Four civilians were […]