04.10.2024

CERA 2024 on ‘Political Islam between Idea and Practice’ in Vienna

The Conference on Extremism and Radicalisation Austria (CERA) of the Documentation Centre Political Islam (DPI) took place for the third time this year under the title ‘Political Islam between Idea and Practice’ on 4 October 2024. The event with over 80 participants was moderated by former ORF journalist Hannelore Veith. Among other things, the focus was on the various Islamist actors and the tension between ideology and practice. In addition, the aim was to analyse political Islam as a social phenomenon across academic boundaries in a transdisciplinary manner.

The conference was attended by renowned figures from academia and research, such as Lina Khatib from Chatham House (London/UK), who gave a keynote speech on current developments in the Middle East conflict and Europe in particular. This was preceded by a welcome and opening address by DPI Director Lisa Fellhofer. During the course of the conference, Anne Speckhard, Isolde Vogel, Elham Manea, Bakary Sambe, Anna Hager and Lucian Reinfandt, Daniela Pisoiu, Kenan Güngör and Mouhanad Khorchide (Chairman, Scientific Advisory Board of the DPI) spoke on the podium.

Alliances, conflicts and goals of Islamist movements

The first panel dealt with Political Islam as a phenomenon that has repeatedly proven to be particularly adaptable to different and sometimes contradictory currents and political groups. For example, the Iranian-led ‘Axis of Resistance’ includes both Sunni and Shia groups. Support for Islamism in Western states also covers a broad ideological spectrum, ranging from the far left to the far right - which has been particularly visible since 7 October 2023.

The second panel focussed on Islamist groups that pursue a common vision with different strategies and, on closer inspection, often propagate different models of society. Any incompatibilities are not only due to theological and ideological interpretations, but also to power-political considerations, for example. Heterogeneity leads to conflicts within the various currents of political Islam. This can be seen, for example, in the civil war in Syria with the conflict between extremist Shiite and extremist Sunni actors.

Political Islam, which affects European society as a whole, was the topic of the third panel. It dealt with the various forms and actors with their approaches and mobilisation strategies. Among other things, the increasing need for an interdisciplinary approach was also discussed. Beyond the academic discourse, CERA also offered an important space for a broad international exchange.

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