Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has spoken out about what he calls "political Islam". Bloomberg.
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has spoken out about what he calls "political Islam". Bloomberg.
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has spoken out about what he calls "political Islam". Bloomberg.
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has spoken out about what he calls "political Islam". Bloomberg.

Outcry over Austria's 'Islam map' showing names and locations of mosques


Tim Stickings
  • English
  • Arabic

An "Islam map" showing the locations of mosques and Muslim organisations in Austria is causing an uproar in the country.

The interactive map was unveiled by Austria’s Integration Minister Susanne Raab last week, with the names and locations of more than 600 mosques and Islamic associations.

It led to concerns the project was discriminatory and could stigmatise Muslims.

Days later, police in Vienna removed a set of unofficial street signs that displayed the web address of the map and told pedestrians: "Warning. Political Islam in your area."

The signs were illustrated with a stereotyped image of a Muslim man, which was condemned as a racist caricature.

It was not clear who put up the signs, but the incident led to renewed condemnation of a project that had already alarmed many of Austria's Muslims.

“I appeal to minister Raab to immediately remove the map, distance herself from it and apologise for it,” said Vienna deputy mayor Christoph Wiederkehr.

Nurten Yilmaz, an integration spokeswoman for the opposition Social Democrats, said the street signs were a “reminder of the darkest hour in our history”.

“The Islam map stirs up hatred and divides our society in an unprecedented way,” she said.

It comes amid reports of increased physical and verbal attacks on Muslims since an extremist rampage that left four people dead in Vienna last November.

On Monday, the Council of Europe – a human rights organisation separate from the EU – said the project “overshoots the mark”.

“Many Muslims perceive the form and timing of the publication as extremely discriminatory,” the council said.

“They feel stigmatised and threatened in their security by the publication of addresses and other details. The ‘Islam Map’ of Austria should therefore be withdrawn in its current form."

An example of the 'warning' signs that have appeared in Vienna. Falter Magazine/Vienna
An example of the 'warning' signs that have appeared in Vienna. Falter Magazine/Vienna

The map was drawn up in collaboration with the University of Vienna and the Documentation Centre of Political Islam.

Muslims in Austria said they could not imagine a similar map being drawn up for Christianity or Judaism.

Ms Raab, a member of the centre-right OeVP party, defended the controversial project, insisting that it was not meant to “place Muslims in general under suspicion”.

The aim was “to fight political ideologies, not religion”, she said.

But there was criticism from the OeVP’s coalition partners, the Greens, who said they had not been consulted about it.

“The project mixes Muslims with Islamists and is contrary to what integration policy should look like,” said the Greens' spokeswoman for integration, Faika El-Nagashi.

The government of Chancellor Sebastian Kurz is pressing ahead with a package of anti-terrorism measures in the wake of November's attack.

The measures include creating a new criminal offence in Austria called “religiously motivated extremist association”.

In raids after the attack, prosecutors said more than 70 people were being investigated on suspicion of ties to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood.

Mr Kurz has frequently criticised what he refers to as "political Islam" and conservative politicians raised fears of "parallel societies" emerging in cities such as Vienna.

A report published this year said a leading body overseeing Sunni Muslim affairs in Austria had "long been under suspected Islamist influence".

Prominent members of the group were of Turkish origin and had links to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s AKP party, according to the Policy Exchange report.

The report praised Austria as a "little heralded, but important example" of how democracies could face the extremist threat.

Thanksgiving meals to try

World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.

Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as  well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.

The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.

Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.

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Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Racecard

2pm Handicap Dh 90,000 1,800m

2.30pm Handicap Dh120,000 1,950m

3pm Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m

3.30pm Jebel Ali Classic Conditions Dh300,000 1,400m

4pm Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m

4.30pm Conditions Dh250,000 1,400m

5pm Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m

5.30pm Handicap Dh85,000 1,000m

 

The National selections:

2pm Arch Gold

2.30pm Conclusion

3pm Al Battar

3.30pm Golden Jaguar

4pm Al Motayar

4.30pm Tapi Sioux

5pm Leadership

5.30pm Dahawi

Race card:

6.30pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; 2,000m

7.05pm: Handicap; Dh165,000; 2,200m

7.40pm: Conditions; Dh240,000; 1,600m

8.15pm: Handicap; Dh190,000; 2,000m

8.50pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed; Dh265,000; 1,200m

9.25pm: Handicap; Dh170,000; 1,600m

10pm: Handicap; Dh190,000; 1,400m

Naga
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