Austria: Over 300 imams condemn terror and extremism

By Askin Kiyagan

VIENNA (AA) - Hundreds of imams and religious leaders from across Austria came together on Wednesday to issue a declaration condemning rising terrorism, extremism, and racism.

Over 310 imams gathered in front of the Islamic Center Mosque in the capital Vienna urged unity against terrorism in a declaration titled "No to Terror, Extremism, and Violence".

"As Austrian imams, we condemn terrorist and extremist acts of violence all over the world and especially the atrocities and attacks of Daesh terrorists, which are contrary to Islam," the imams said in the declaration.

"Terrorism cannot be reconciled with any religion, ethnicity, or culture," said the imams, adding that it is the duty of each Muslim to work for security and peace in the country where they reside and for all residents of that country.

"Fighting extremism and all kinds of racism, anti-Semitism, and Islamophobia is a social task, and we, the imams of Austria who are part of this society, are ready to do our part," they added.

Islam has been an official religion in Austria since 1912. The country is home to more than 500,000 Muslims, about 6 percent of the total population, making up the country’s largest non-Christian religious minority.