Austrian Imams' Conference Begins Today

Islam Online reported earlier this week that the Austrian government is sponsoring a conference beginning today that will bring together 150 Muslim leaders, imams and female preachers from 40 European countries. Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel and Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik will attend the opening session. British and German Muslim parliamentarians have been also invited to the conference. A similar conference a year ago focused on ending stereotyping and demonizing of Muslims. The Associated Press yesterday reported on this year's conference, saying that the key issue will now be how to create a distinct identity for European Muslims. A similar emphasis is found in a Radio Free Europe interview with Dr. Abduljalil Sajid, the chairman of Britain's Muslim Council for Religious and Racial Harmony, published yesterday.