The danger of Islamism: Austria targets hate preachers with a form of virtual ban

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The Austrian government is stepping up measures—some already implemented and others still in the planning stage—to counter “political Islam,” amid mounting pressure and reports of its growing influence.

In its latest initiative, the government plans to create a “register of hate preachers” aimed at blocking online accounts disseminating extremist Islamist content.

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Integration Minister Claudia Plakolm believes this measure could also apply to those advocating the wearing of the hijab in early childhood. She stated that forcing children to wear the hijab is “part and parcel” of the agenda promoted by political Islam.

At the same time, the government’s plan includes banning accounts that incite extremism.

The Ministry of Integration seeks to curb the alarming spread of radical content online and to put an end to the growing influence of extremist preachers acting as influencers, who attract young people and minors.

This step aims to counter one of the main channels currently fueling political Islam, which contributes to the radicalization of young people in Austria and across Europe.

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Mounting pressure

The government is under increasing pressure to take stronger action against political Islam. Writing in the Austrian magazine Express, senior columnist Manfred Maurer urged the Ministries of Integration, Interior, Foreign Affairs, and Education to coordinate their efforts against political Islam actors at all levels.

He stressed that “some promising initiatives already included in the government’s program are still awaiting implementation, such as measures against organizations that refuse to acknowledge the fundamental principles of our democracy and the values derived from them.”

Maurer also called for tightening the law on associations and for publishing a list of extremist organizations. Yet, “no such list currently exists, and the Ministry of the Interior even refuses to answer questions regarding extremist groups’ activities.”

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Growing and concerning influence

A recent report from Austria’s Documentation Center for Political Islam revealed that Islamist groups have increasingly exploited geopolitical conflicts to spread extremist ideologies, undermine pluralist democratic values, and strengthen their foothold in Austria over the past twelve years.

According to the report, “the rejection of the secular model of society is a worrying trend, with effects already visible in parts of Austrian society.”

Islamist organizations are now disseminating their propaganda in a “hybrid and multidimensional” way: alongside digital platforms, they are active in streets, mosques, and educational institutions.

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They also use influencers to specifically target young people, luring them into fundamentalist lifestyles—a threat to social cohesion and public trust in democratic institutions.

The report further highlights the increasing visibility of Islamist symbols and messages in Austria’s urban areas, such as graffiti, posters, and clothing.

Finally, it warns of the growing interconnectedness of transnational Islamist networks, which promote shared hostile narratives—such as opposition to “the West” or to “secularism”—while seeking to impose an alternative societal model. Such dynamics risk deepening social divides and undermining democratic culture.

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