[IslamCity] Islam Not Enemy of West: Austrian President

[Islahonline]

http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2005-07/11/article02.shtml   Islam Not Enemy of West: Austrian President Fischer cautioned European governments against responding to terror by taking blind steps governed by hatred and anger. By Ahmed Al-Matboli, IOL Correspondent VIENNA, July 11, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – Austrian President Heinz Fischer has said that Islam is not an enemy of the West, warning of offensive reactions to Muslim minorities across Europe over the London blasts. "Islam is not an enemy of the West, but the real enemies are a bunch of fanatics who should be isolated," Fischer told Channel One’s Press Hour program on Sunday, July 10. He stressed that terror should not undermine democratic and exemplary Europe, adding that political means are the only way to deal with those hardliners. Fischer cautioned European governments against responding to terror by taking blind steps governed by hatred and anger. "This will ultimately lead to a clash of civilizations," he averred when asked about Britain’s Home Secretary Charles Clarke’s suggestion to record phone calls and track e-mails and SMSs across Europe. The Austrian leader reiterated opposition to restricting people’s freedoms and civil rights as a reaction to violence like the London bombings, which killed more than 50 people and injured up to 700 others on Thursday, July 7. No sooner had the London blasts taken place than racist attacks against mosques in Britain, the US and New Zealand were reported. London police said Sunday there had been a number of racially and religiously motivated hate crimes since the terror bombings, including one resulting in a serious injury. Safe Austria Fischer joined by Muslims in celebrating the silver Jubilee of their representative body in Austria.  Fischer, cerebrating the first anniversary in office, said that he is confident that Austria is not on the terror list. "Neutrality helped Austria steer clear of the US-led war on Iraq," he said in a veiled reference that the war has made the world less safe. The 66-year-old leader further said it is not necessary for the government to adopt new measures in the wake of the London attacks, referring to new anti-terror laws. He lauded the fruitful cooperation between the Muslim minority and the authorities. "Austria has set itself up as a paradigm for cooperation with Muslims, who are law-abiding," added the president. He further praised the pivotal role played by the Islamic Religious Authority in Austria (IRA), the main representative Muslim body in the country. Since he was elected President in 2004, Fischer has taken several good gestures toward the Muslim minority. He invited minority representatives to an iftar banquet in the presidential palace during the Muslims' holy fasting month of Ramadan. Fischer and a cohort of senior government officials also joined Austrian Muslims in celebrating the 25th anniversary of the IRA. Muslims are estimated at 300,000 in Austria, making up 4% of the 8 million population. Islam, which was officially acknowledged in Austria in 1912, is considered the second religion in the country after Catholicism. Read Also: Islam, Muslims & Violence (Folder)  Back To News Page Please feel free to contact News editor at: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *************************************************************************** {Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. 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