Poier said he meant to deride mounting Islamophobia in Europe.

By Khaled Schmitt, IOL Correspondent

VIENNA, January 21 (IslamOnline.net) – Muslims in Europe have usually reacted to derogatory remarks on Islam with emotional retort of inflammatory rhetoric, it was widely believed.

The community in Austria, however, have set a different example, handling the situation astutely.

Consequently, it paid off. 

Austrian rock star Alf Poier has removed derogatory phrases about Islam from the lyrics of his new song in response to an appeal from the representatives from the Muslim community.

“The singer’s action has indeed won him great respect from the Muslim community that acted swiftly and professionally, without being overcome with emotions,” Tarafa Baghajati, the deputy head of the European Network Against Racism, told IslamOnline.net Tuesday, January 18.

“Direct dialogue between the parties concerned without resorting to go-betweens has, in effect, paid off.”

Before being edited out, the lyrics of “Good Old Europe is Dying” warned that Muslims were about to outnumber Christians in Europe .

“In the past, the Christians unsheathed their swords and mobilized their armies/ In the Past, bombs rained Berlin /And now the followers of Muhammad are reproducing heavily and Adhan will ring out throughout Rome,” Poier was to sing.

Muslim Reaction

The Austrian Islamic Initiative Society and the European Network Against Racism urged Poier to remove the offensive lines, in respect for Muslims inside and outside Austria.

They further expressed deep concern such lines – in case remained and were translated into other languages – would lead to more Islamophobia and discrimination.

Poier, on his part, said he decided to cut out the offensive phrases from the lyrics, asserting that he meant to deride the mounting Islamophobia and discrimination against Muslims, not the other way around.

Islam, which was officially acknowledged in Austria in 1908, is considered the second religion in the country after Catholic Christianity.

Muslims, estimated at nearly half a million, make up some 6 per cent of the country’s eight-million population.

A law issued in 1867, which guaranteed respect for all religions, gave Muslims the right to establish mosques and practice their religion in Austria .

There are 76 mosques and prayer rooms across the country, including 53 in Vienna alone, according to recent estimates.

The Muslim community fared well  in 2004, showing great ability to integrate smoothly into Austrian society.