A few days ago, Austria and whole Europe were shocked by a terrorist attack in the heart of Vienna. It was not the first such attack, but it was a bloody one, with four civilians killed and twenty more wounded. It became clear pretty soon, that this murder had an Islamist background. The murderer was well-known to the police even beyond the Austrian border. While communication between countries about his activities was going on, unfortunately, the information that was sent to the Austrian police was not used properly. This is to counter the argument that there is no cooperation or information exchange among countries – at least in the EU. Although the Austrian police must also be blamed for what happened. The European cooperation could certainly be improved, but it would already bring more results, if it were taken seriously by the national authorities. Anyway, the terrorist was an Austrian, also holding a North Macedonian citizenship. He also was a member of a European network. In the past he tried to join the djidadists in Syria, but was held back by the Turkish authorities, sent back to Austria where he was sent to prison. After a shortened prison sentence, he participated in a re-education/re-habilitation/de-radicalisation program. He has presented himself as having learned his lesson, but he continued his evil activities. There is something to learn from this failure for the police and for the treatment of jihadists after imprisonment.
Of course, we cannot wait until something like the terror attack last week happens in order to act. Radical Islamism is something which leads again and again to terrorism. Was this kind of interpretation of the Koran neglected and underestimated? It could be, but we have to take into account the political climate in relation to Islam as a religion. Mainly the right wing started fighting Islam as such. If now some argue that there is no islamophobia, it is sufficient to recall numerous demonstrations, slogans, tweets, posters etc. organized and published by right-wing parties and groups to realize that it is not true. One cannot deny a strong anti-Islam campaign by different segments of our public. Maybe that defamation by the right reduced the readiness of the center and the left wing to look carefully into those parts of our Muslim community and organizations which promoted fundamentalist and radical Islam. We should be watchful about all radical tendencies. As we saw with Austria´s neighbor, Germany, extreme rightwing groups can infiltrate even the police force. Therefore, whatever ideological background the radical groups have, we should find clever ways to fight against it. A strategy needs to be adopted to fight the extremist ideologies, cutting them off at their root.
Islam is a religion with many varieties and differences depending on geography and time. During its history you find openness and tolerance as well as fundamentalism and radicalism. Some of these fundamentalist orientations are quite new, like Wahhabism. The Koran gives way to both forms of interpretation. However, the majority of Muslims want to live in peace and reject aggressive fundamentalism. That is particularly true for the Muslims in Europe. Some extremists try to promote animosities by referring to the experience of colonialism and subjugation by the West. But if one is to remember bad experiences of the past, they should also recall slave trade organized by Muslim Arab traders. History shows many bad examples of human - or rather inhumane - behavior. Nevertheless, the confrontation with the mighty, militarily successful West has prompted some fundamentalists to argue, that the deviation from the “pure” teaching of the Koran has weakened the defense against the Western interventions and occupation. However, it rather might be the internal resistance to reforms in these countries which was responsible for the narrative of victimization of Western domination. To be clear: there is no justification for past colonialism and present neo-colonialism. All should recognize their own mistakes and crimes, but we all should look forward into a better, more just future. We need more justice, but terrorism does not show a way in that direction. On the contrary, it destroys and prevents justice.
Our future should include religions and beliefs, which recognize and even promote human rights, including the freedom of expression. It should be a future based on mutual respect. This respect should also concern religious beliefs and believers. But any kind of violation - or perceived violation - of this respect must be accepted and gives no right to kill. This must be the clear answer to those who draw the wrong and deadly conclusions from cartoons like those published in Charlie Hebdo. You can detest these cartoons, but nobody has the right to kill or to lay the ground for such killings as a reaction. What we need is a serious and sincere strategy for combating any kind of extremism. Concerning different beliefs, we need an alliance with those believers and religious representatives who themselves stand for religious interpretations that are guided by reason and promote tolerance. In the case of Islam, those believers themselves often fall victim of extreme fundamentalists. They must be convinced to join a common struggle for tolerance. This is a precondition for a successful combat against fundamentalism and terrorism.
Parallel to this ideological fight for acceptance and tolerance, diversity and openness, a vigilant security policy is necessary. The long struggle for peace and security in Europe after many wars must not be destroyed by random individuals. The security institutions and forces must do their job. An open society can only be kept alive and protected, if radicalism and extremism is fought effectively. Our open society which is anyway endangered by media concentration, conspiracy theories and fake news, must be defended strongly against any extremist groups. In addition, a clear support for peace and justice in the Middle East and around the globe must be part of a comprehensive strategy to fight extremism. We should not choose between justice and tolerance at home, in our neighborhood or globally. Justice, freedom and tolerance are indivisible.
Dr. Hannes Swoboda, President of the International Institute for Peace (IP), started his career in urban politics in Vienna and was elected member of the European Parliament in 1996. He was Vice President of the Social Democrat Group until 2012 und then President until 2014. He was particularly engaged in foreign, enlargement, and neighborhood policies. Swoboda is also President of the Vienna Institute for International Economics, the Centre of Architecture, the University for Applied Science - Campus Vienna, and the Sir Peter Ustinov Institute.