Austrian Interior Minister announces that Muslim synagogue will be closed after violating local constitution • The mosque is not the one used in the attack in Vienna this week
Austrian soldiers near the scene of the attack in Vienna // Photo: AP
Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nahmer announced today (Friday) during a special meeting with Education Minister Suzanne Rab and President of the Islamic Faith Council in the country the closure of a mosque and cultural center in the capital Vienna after serving as a hotbed of extremist preaching.
The operation took place less than three days after the brutal bloody attack in the Austrian capital Vienna in which four people were killed.
According to a statement from the Austrian government, published in the state news agency APA, the person who drew the attention of the authorities to the violations taking place in the mosque is the Islamic Faith Council.
Interior Minister Nahamer gave a short speech saying: "Unforgivable mistakes were made during the handling of the intelligence information on the terrorist attack that took place in Vienna."
In a brief statement issued by the President of the Islamic Faith Council, he called on Muslims in the country to show vigilance in the face of extremism and terrorism.
"Now that terrorism has reached our doorstep, it is extremely important for Muslims in Austria to condemn the cynical use of religion and the distortions of faith that lead to the spread of violence and terrorism."
However, the government news agency reported that the main mosque on Hasner Street in the capital, Vienna, where the terrorist who carried out the attack took place, will not be closed and will continue to operate as usual.
The terrorist, an Austrian citizen of Albanian descent, was known to law enforcement and was known to his fellow extremist religious organizations.