VIENNA, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Over 300 Austrian imams convened in Vienna on Wednesday to sign a joint declaration against extremism and terror, local media reported.
The declaration, titled "Declaration of Imams in Austria against extremism, violence, and terror," also calls on Muslims in Austria to be active in ensuring peace and safety for the country and the people living in it.
Other key points of the document are a denouncement of the activities of the Islamic State as a misuse of the Islamic religion, the need for Muslims to integrate, an acknowledgement of the constitutional principles of Austria, and the need for prevention and deradicalization efforts particularly for youths.
The Imams also spoke against the stigmatization of Muslims and related racism, stressing a need for differentiating between who is committing what acts, and also warning against populist groups stirring hatred. Enditem
