Radicalization in Vienna-Josefstadt: Mosque is under fire
Radicalization in Vienna-Josefstadt: Mosque is under fire
In the Josefstadt of Vienna, a mosque causes a sensation because it has developed into an attraction for young extremists. On Friday, men with striking beards and adolescents in long trousers gather in front of the inconspicuous cellar venue to take part in the most important prayer of Christianity, Friday prayer. Surveillance cameras record the action while the sign above the entrance "En-Insiha"-which means "advice" in Arabic-shows.
The situation escalated when a young man who often visited the mosque was recently arrested for his attempted attack at Vienna Central Station. Ali K. had planned in September 2023 to carry out an attack with a knife, but was removed in good time and sentenced to two years in prison. His condemnation is part of a major problem that has been affected by the mosque for years and which is now back in public light.
a center for extremism
The mosque has already been referred to in reports of the protection of the constitution as the "point of contact for people from the radical Islamist milieu". The research of Zackzag shows that more and more extremist people have been running there lately. An extremist telegram group, which documents the activities of the mosque, also helps to think of the faith community through a possible dissolution.
The mosque has a long and problematic story. Already in 2011 she made the headlines when the terrorist Mohammed Mahmoud preached here. Mahmut was later active in Syria and a leading figure of the terrorist militia IS. Another well-known extremist, Mirsad Omerovic, known as EBU Tejma, radicalized numerous people and is currently serving a 20-year sentence.
The cellar restaurant has cult status, especially among extremists, and again and again radical believers find their way there. The Vienna assassin Kujtim F. was first spotted in the mosque in 2018. In addition to Ali K., there was also a 20-year-old who was in custody and wanted to get a book by an IS theorist. The connection to extremist circles is obvious.
connections to the Balkans
The people who act around the "En-Nasiha" mosque have close connections to the Salafist communities in the Balkans, especially in Bosnia. As early as 2010, media reported on a network that is still active today and has connections to dangerous extremists. The invitation of the radical preacher Emir Cajic to the mosque underlines the uncertain location that prevails there.
cajic is known for its anti -democratic views and has vehemently rejected the existence of “democratic Islam” in the past. In his radical statements, he represents the voters as unbelievers who deviate from true Islam due to their participation in the democratic system.
In addition, there is an active telegram group that is linked to the mosque. There are shared content that ranges from the heroic representation of terrorism to extremist slogans. Quotes from Islamist sermons and views of violent actions are not uncommon. According to reports, a dangerous tendency to glorify jihad and grass is achieved a scale that is worrying.
The Islamic Faith Community (IGGÖ) has announced that the mosque is checked internally, possibly with the aim of dissolving it. In an inquiry, they state that this review started before the summer and overlap with the findings of the jagged zag research. These events throw a shocking light on the power structures and the ideological currents within the mosque.
The future of the mosque is now on the brink. If the IGGÖ comes to the conclusion that a closure is necessary, this could be a significant development in combating extremism in Vienna. This could lead to the association behind the mosque, but should continue to work in the Berlin environment.
This explosive topic increasingly attracts attention. For further information and a profound analysis of this case, See the report on zackzack.at .