Vienna Mayor and IGGÖ President warn against targeting Muslim community

Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig and Ümit Vural, President of the Islamic Community in Austria (IGGÖ), met to address recent political debates regarding the potential banning of ‘political Islam’. Following their meeting, they issued a joint statement emphasizing that efforts to combat radicalism should not result in the generalization or suspicion of an entire religious community.

Both leaders highlighted that Muslims have been an integral part of Austrian and Viennese society for generations. They reaffirmed their commitment to democracy, the rule of law, freedom, and equality, while warning that peaceful practitioners of faith should not become targets of political decisions.

The discussions follow tensions sparked by remarks from federal officials. Integration Minister Claudia Bauer had previously suggested that a ban on certain structures might be on the table, though she later clarified that a ban on the IGGÖ itself was not being considered. IGGÖ has criticized the term ‘political Islam’ as being too vague to serve as a legal basis for constitutional bans.