FPÖ defends Graz attack on Islam

Graz FPÖ politician Susanne Winter lhas attacked Islam as a religion at her party's New Year's meeting in the Styrian capital.

Winter, who is head of the FPÖ's list for the January 20 municipal, election, called Islamic prophet Mohammed "a child molester“ because of his alleged marriage to a six-year-old girl and "a field marshal" who had written the Koran during "epileptic fits."

She termed Islam "a totalitarian system of domination that should be thrown back to its birthplace on the other side of the Mediterranean."

Winter added on Monday that "there is widespread abuse of children among Muslim men“ but then declared that she didn't want to offend anyone or insult any religion.
She also defended her Sunday statement that "a Muslim immigration tsunami“ could occur. "In 20 or 30 years, half the population of Austria will be Muslim" if the SPÖ and ÖVP's immigration policy continues in effect, she said.

In response, the Community of Islamic Believers official responsible for integration, Omar Al-Rawi, called Winter's remarks an instance of "lack of respect" and "false." He claimed that "Islam-bashing" had reached
a “sickening and evil" level.

Community spokeswoman Carla Amina Baghajati added on Monday that Winter's remarks were a threat to social peace.
“Dialogue is very important to us. But that kind of hatred and promotion of images of enemies will make it more difficult. It threatens to poison the climate,“ she said.
Baghajati added that FPÖ statements were more and more "unappetising, provocative and disrespectful."
The ÖVP, SPÖ, Greens and BZÖ have strongly criticised Winter's remarks.

Graz public prosecutor's office spokesman Manfred Kammerer has said that the office will examine them to determine whether she violated the law forbidding expressions of racial hatred.

Winter will have to take a position on her remarks within the next several days. If tried and convicted, she would face up to two years in prison.

FPÖ leader Heinz-Christian said in response to Winter's remarks that there was "freedom of opinion" in the FPÖ.
Strache compared the new EU reform treaty to the 1938 "Anschluss" or merger of Austria and Germany as a result of German occupation.

14.01.2008 16:37:27