Detail News
11.03.2026
DPI Director Lisa Fellhofer on ORF III Aktuell discussing current developments
In the edition of “ORF III Aktuell,” editor Philipp Maiwald spoke with Lisa Fellhofer, director of the Documentation Center Political Islam (DPI), about current developments in the field of religious extremism. The focus was on the recent riots surrounding the funeral ceremonies for Iran's supreme leader Ali Chamenei. Clashes between supporters and opponents of the regime broke out in front of the Imam Ali Center (IZIA) in Vienna-Floridsdorf. Lisa Fellhofer emphasized that the center can be seen as a possible soft power instrument of the Iranian regime. At the same time, she pointed out that Vienna is an important diplomatic venue and has hosted nuclear talks with Iran in the past, for example, when it comes to this “highly sensitive issue.” Conflicts abroad are increasingly having a direct impact on communities in Austria. Particularly problematic are mobilization strategies based on friend-foe narratives and populist exaggerations, as discussed in the latest DPI publication. According to Lisa Fellhofer, such methods are also used by “self-appointed representatives of Muslim identity” – similar to familiar patterns from right-wing and left-wing extremism. This not only jeopardizes diversity within the Muslim community, but can also exacerbate social polarization. The DPI director also commented on prevention: Political measures such as a proposed ban on social media for children under 14 may have a supportive effect, but the radicalization of young people began long before social networks existed.
The entire ORF interview is available here: Fellhofer (DPI): "Als Softpower-Instrument genutzt"
DPI publication on Islamist populism: Was ist populistisch am politischen Islam?
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