Concern over the possibility that the proposed measure could also affect Austria’s officially recognised Islamic Religious Community, IGGÖ
GENOA, ITALY, 5 September 2026 – The European Muslims League (EML) is closely following the debate in Austria concerning the proposed ban on so-called “Political Islam”, announced by Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Family Claudia Bauer.
Countering extremist organisations and any activity aimed at undermining the democratic order is a legitimate duty of every State. No religion may be used to justify violence, deny fundamental rights or impose a system contrary to the Constitution.
However, protecting national security must be based on concrete conduct, verifiable evidence and individual responsibility. If the expression “Political Islam” is not supported by a precise and legally enforceable definition, there is a risk that suspicion may extend beyond the fight against extremism to the public and organised presence of Muslims.
Of particular concern is Minister Bauer’s statement that measures affecting the Islamic Religious Community in Austria (IGGÖ), the officially recognised representative body of Muslims in the country, could not be ruled out.
“No faith may be used against democracy, but no democracy can defend itself by treating an entire religious community as a potential enemy,” stated Dr Alfredo Maiolese, President of the European Muslims League.
“If violations of the law exist, they must be established and prosecuted. A broad and politically interpretable label cannot replace evidence or place a recognised religious community on the same level as organisations accused of extremism.”
The EML is not intervening in defence of any of the individual organisations mentioned in the Austrian debate, nor does it contest the right of the authorities to act against genuinely anti-democratic structures. It nevertheless calls for every measure to comply with the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, freedom of religion and individual responsibility, without producing collective discrimination.
Through EML Islamophobia Watch, the European Muslims League has also observed that some Italian social media content has linked the matter to the Battle of Vienna of 1683. This reference does not form part of the original news report or the Austrian Government’s proposal and improperly transforms a contemporary legal debate into a historical and identity-based confrontation between Europe and Muslims.
European Muslims are neither foreign armies nor representatives of conflicts belonging to the past. They are citizens, families and communities who form an integral part of European societies and share responsibility for protecting their security, freedoms and democratic institutions.
The European Muslims League therefore invites the Austrian authorities to establish a transparent dialogue with the IGGÖ, independent experts and religious representatives, ensuring that the necessary fight against every form of extremism does not become a source of generalised suspicion towards Islam.
EUROPEAN MUSLIMS LEAGUE
General Secretariat
EML ISLAMOPHOBIA WATCH
Monitor. Verify. Document. Respond.
Photo: Yair Haklai / Wikimedia Commons – CC BY-SA 4.0
