Vienna Seminar Calls for European Citizenship Alliance Against Hate and Racism

Vienna Seminar Calls for European Citizenship Alliance Against Hate and Racism
——————————–
A seminar in Vienna has called for stronger European cooperation to combat Islamophobia, racism and hate speech, including the creation of a broad “citizenship alliance” based on human dignity and equality.

The call came during a seminar titled “Islamophobia: Understanding the Causes, Analyzing the Challenges and Strengthening Prevention,” organized by the Islamic Centre in Vienna on September 19, 2026.

Dr. Ahmad Al-Mufrah, director of the centre, said rising Islamophobia required moving beyond monitoring the phenomenon toward understanding its causes and developing practical prevention strategies.

Abd al-Samad al-Yazidi, president of the Central Council of Muslims in Germany and vice president of the Supreme Council of Muslims in Europe, addressed anti-Muslim racism and stressed the need to distinguish legitimate criticism of religions and ideas from collective accusations against Muslims.

He also called for greater precision in terms such as “Islamism” and “political Islam,” warning against treating conservative Muslims, community activists, political actors and individuals advocating violence as a single category.

The seminar brought together religious figures, experts and civil society representatives to discuss institutional and community responses to anti-Muslim racism.