Austria hosts conference on European Muslim identity

-15/11/05

Austria, which has reso


Austria hosts conference on European Muslim identity

-15/11/05

Austria, which has resolutely opposed Muslim-majority Turkeyís application to join the European Union, is hosting a three-day conference in Vienna on relations between Muslims and non-Muslims.

The presidents of Afghanistan and Iraq are attending, as is former President Mohammad Khatami of Iran and Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi.

The top-level meeting comes just before Austria takes over the presidency of the European Union from Britain.

It is seen by commentators as a significant step in opening up a dialogue about genuinely European expressions of Islam ñ what scholars call inculturation.

But some who seek more positive relations between Muslims and non-Muslims fear that the young, radical and disaffected will view it as another cynical attempt by Western political leaders to shape a ëmoderateí Islam in their image.

Opening the conference, Austria’s foreign minister Ursula Plassnik acknowledged the difficulties and called for a united front against extremism and terrorism that uses the rhetoric of religion.

“We should not concede the public space to those who abuse religion and abuse culture to reach their aims,” she declared.

She said that mistrust and violence between Muslims and non-Muslims was growing, not least in Europe.

Leaders must show courage to unite against groups promoting cultural intolerance and violence, Ms Plassnik continued.

The hosting of the conference is being seen as a sign that Austria wants to encourage improved EU ties with recognised Muslim leaders.

[Also on Ekklesia: The theological roots of terror; Cardinal affirms British Muslims in a plural society; British Muslims confront extremism]


Austria hosts conference on European Muslim identity

-15/11/05

Austria, which has resolutely opposed Muslim-majority Turkey’s application to join the European Union, is hosting a three-day conference in Vienna on relations between Muslims and non-Muslims.

The presidents of Afghanistan and Iraq are attending, as is former President Mohammad Khatami of Iran and Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi.

The top-level meeting comes just before Austria takes over the presidency of the European Union from Britain.

It is seen by commentators as a significant step in opening up a dialogue about genuinely European expressions of Islam – what scholars call inculturation.

But some who seek more positive relations between Muslims and non-Muslims fear that the young, radical and disaffected will view it as another cynical attempt by Western political leaders to shape a ëmoderate’ Islam in their image.

Opening the conference, Austria’s foreign minister Ursula Plassnik acknowledged the difficulties and called for a united front against extremism and terrorism that uses the rhetoric of religion.

“We should not concede the public space to those who abuse religion and abuse culture to reach their aims,” she declared.

She said that mistrust and violence between Muslims and non-Muslims was growing, not least in Europe.

Leaders must show courage to unite against groups promoting cultural intolerance and violence, Ms Plassnik continued.

The hosting of the conference is being seen as a sign that Austria wants to encourage improved EU ties with recognised Muslim leaders.

[Also on Ekklesia: The theological roots of terror; Cardinal affirms British Muslims in a plural society; British Muslims confront extremism]