AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): The World Council of Churches in Austria, supporting the country's Islamic community, took a position against the remarks of Austria's minister of integration and religious affairs regarding the possible ban of what is called "political Islam." Emphasizing the necessity of protecting religious freedom, this council announced that confronting extremism and the misuse of religion should not lead to collective accusation against Muslims and restricting their religious rights.
This Vienna-based council warned that accusing religious groups as a whole exacerbates social divisions and conflicts with the principles of the rule of law and human rights. According to the representatives of the churches, such an approach not only does not help effectively confront the real threats of extremism but may also expand the ground for discrimination and distrust among followers of religions.
The council's statement says that confronting the political misuse of religion and defending religious freedom are two inseparable matters. This body asked political officials to confront extremism and any violence decisively, based on the law and relying on evidence and facts. It also considered churches and religious institutions obligated to take a stand against collective accusations and to support individuals who are targeted by discrimination.
This position was taken following the Austrian government's plan to approve a law aimed at banning what is called "political Islam." Claudia Bauer, the minister of integration and religious affairs and a member of the Austrian People's Party, has announced that this plan targets fundamentalist Islamist organizations, including the Muslim Brotherhood. She has also claimed that individuals with extremist tendencies may also be present within Austria's Islamic religious community and must be dealt with.
**************
End/ 345E
