Detail News
08.06.2026
DPI Director Fellhofer Discusses Current Challenges in an Interview with Presse, ÖIF, and Ö1
In late May and early June, Lisa Fellhofer, director of the Documentation Center Political Islam (DPI), appeared at several public events and media appearances. The focus was on current challenges in the field of political Islam, issues of prevention, and developments in the European context.
Featured on the “Die Presse”- Podcast “Was wichtig ist”
On May 29, Lisa Fellhofer spoke on the podcast “Was wichtig ist” (What Matters) produced by the daily newspaper Die Presse about current debates surrounding integration, Islamism, and social cohesion. The discussion was prompted by several recently published studies and surveys that raised questions about religious trends among young people in Vienna, integration processes, and problematic phenomena such as forced marriages.
During the conversation, Fellhofer emphasized the need for a clear distinction between Islam as a religion and Islamist or extremist ideologies. She also discussed current challenges in the education sector, the importance of prevention efforts, and the impact of international conflicts on social coexistence in Austria. A central priority, she said, must be to strengthen democratic values and counter extremist tendencies at an early stage.
Speech at the ÖIF's Multiplier Seminar in Graz
On June 2, Lisa Fellhofer and a DPI expert attended the “Religiously Motivated Extremism: Currents and Trends” seminar for opinion leaders organized by the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) in Graz. The event was aimed at representatives from politics, education, administration, the security sector, and civil society who play an important role in knowledge dissemination and prevention work within their respective fields.
The seminar addressed current developments and new dynamics of radicalization. The event aimed to strengthen prevention capabilities, shed light on current challenges related to religiously motivated extremism, and promote dialogue among relevant stakeholders.
Ö1 “Punkt Eins”: Developments involving Hezbollah in Europe
On June 3, DPI Director Fellhofer appeared as a guest on the Ö1 program “Punkt Eins” to discuss the topic “Hezbollah as a Hydra.” Together with Islamic studies scholar Simon Wolfgang Fuchs from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, she spoke with host Xaver Forthuber about Hezbollah’s current situation in Lebanon and its international networks, which extend as far as Europe.
While Fuchs provided context on developments in the Middle East and Hezbollah’s role in the regional conflict, Fellhofer shed light on the activities of Hezbollah networks in Europe and Austria. She also discussed the Documentation Center’s recent study on Hezbollah’s financing and support structures and explained the challenges facing prevention and security policy.
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07/16/2026DPI expert featured in the EUKH newsletter on Islamist populism
The EU Knowledge Hub (EUKH) newsletter provides monthly updates to interested parties on various topics relating to radicalisation and extremism. The Documentation Centre Political Islam (DPI) plays an active role in the European Commission’s platform. -
06/25/2026Presse opinion piece: DPI Deputy Director Haberl on the acquittal in the Vienna imam trial
The acquittal of a Viennese imam in a trial last week has sparked a broad public debate in recent days. In an op-ed in *Die Presse*, Ferdinand Haberl, deputy director of the Documentation Center Political Islam (DPI), explains why a clear distinction must be made between criminal judgment and scholarly analysis. -
06/18/2026DPI Participates in the CERIF Conference in Paris with Two Presentations
On June 10, 2026, the Documentation Center Political Islam (DPI) participated in the second colloquium on “Islamism in Europe” organized by CERIF (European Center for Research and Information on Frérism) in Saint-Ouen, near Paris. -
06/18/2026Roundtable Discussion on Salzburg’s Integration Framework with DPI Director Fellhofer
As part of a fact-finding inquiry, the Salzburg State Parliament examined the new integration policy framework for the State of Salzburg. Lisa Fellhofer, director of the Documentation Center Political Islam (DPI), was also invited to speak. She gave a presentation on the topic “The Need for Action in Integration Policy with Regard to Political Islam.” -
05/17/2026DPI Director Fellhofer in an interview with TT: Young women targeted by Islamist actors
Research by the Documentation Centre Political Islam (DPI) shows how religious extremist ideologies can fuel social polarisation. In an interview with Carmen Baumgartner-Pötz of the Tiroler Tageszeitung (TT), DPI Director Lisa Fellhofer discusses, among other things, radicalisation, social media, the relationship between moderate and Islamist forces, and the importance of a nuanced debate.