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Innsbruck (OTS) – There are no general suspicions, but: the Federal Government’s anti-terror package and the reactions to it show how disturbed the relationship with Muslims is. However, what is needed is a trusted cooperation.
Are all Muslims terrorists? No. Do all Muslims reject our Western liberal state? No way. Many terrorists refer to Islam or what do they mean by Islam? Yes. Are there points of contact between the Austrian Muslim structures and the terrorists or their supporters? Security authorities say yes.
The green-turquoise coalition with its antiterrorist package moves in this zone of tension. The starting point is clear: the laws and measures are a response to the Islamist terrorist attack in central Vienna on November 2. Suddenly, violence in the name of a bloody interpretation of Islam had also reached Austria.
The federal government followed the logic of action and reaction: if something happens, politics must act. After some effort, Turquoise and Green managed to follow their coalition’s motto and, as they believe, combine the best of both worlds:
ÖVP Minister Susanne Raab can look forward to success in the fight against “political Islam”. And Green Justice Minister Alma Zadić can underline that the envisaged ban on extremism on religious grounds is “naturally” formulated in a religiously neutral way, that is, not directed against Islam.
The legislative package also provides for close monitoring of people at risk if they have been conditionally released from prison, including electronic anklets. No one will contradict this if legal protection and control is guaranteed. The six weeks of evaluation will show if and where there are hidden weaknesses in these laws. It will be up to the coalition to respond to the criticism.
The government also wants to toughen Islamic Law to close loopholes in the ban on foreign funding for mosques. Magnets must be registered. The Islamic Faith Community immediately rejected this as interference with their autonomy.
A fundamental problem lies behind the protest. The state and Muslims must work together to find solutions to the tension between the peaceful beliefs of many and the terror of a few extremists. But that includes confidence. And that can only happen if everyone involved stops exploiting this situation for themselves.
Queries and contact:
Tyrolean newspaper
0512 5354 5101
chief editor@tt.com
