VIENNA, September 27, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – The Muslim minority in Austria vehemently condemned an attack on a mosque in the city of Linz early this week, urging politicians and the media to firmly stand up to an anti-Muslim campaign.

"It is very worrisome that Muslim worshipers get stoned while praying," the Islamic Religious Authority in Austria (IRA) said in a statement, a copy of which was obtained by IslamOnline.net Tuesday, September 27.

Unknown attackers hurled stones at Muslim worshipers while performing Fajr (dawn) prayer in Linz on September 24, 2005.

Though no one was hurt, the attack damaged the mosque windows. The incident was reported to police.

"This incident which reflects religious hatred and a readiness to use force against religious minorities must be confronted not only be Muslims but also society," said the IRA, the main representative Muslim body in the Austria.

It blamed the assault on propagated stereotypes and misconceptions about Muslims and their faith.

Muslims are estimated at 400,000 in Austria, making up 4% of the 8 million population.

Islam, which was officially acknowledged in Austria in 1912 during the reign of Czar Franz Joseph , is considered the second religion in the country after Catholicism.

The new attack was not the first, targeting the Muslim minority.

In 2003, unknown assailants defiled more than 30 graves in the Muslim cemetery in Linz.

The same cemetery was attacked earlier, following the September 11 attacks on the United States.

Anti-Muslim phrases have also been carved on the walls of several mosques across the country.

IRA believes that these attacks are racially-motivated and that they target all foreigners living in Austria, including Muslims.

The Austrian right-wing, led by the Liberal Party of Austria (FPÖ), spearheads an anti-foreigners campaign.

In its campaign for the municipal elections, slated for October 23, the party is playing the terror threat card to lure more votes.

FPO's posters show Vienna’s mayor Michael Haeupl standing in front of the Islamic Center and Hainz-Christian Strache, FPÖ leader, standing beside the Stefansdom, the most famous church in Austria, with the phrase "you have the choice".

Such posters infuriated both leaders of the Muslim minority and the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), the ruling party in the capital.

Austrian President Heinz Fischer on Sunday, July 10, warned European governments against responding to terror by taking blind steps governed by hatred and anger against Muslim minorities across Europe.

"Islam is not an enemy of the West, but the real enemies are a bunch of fanatics who should be isolated," he stressed.

The 66-year-old leader reiterated opposition to restricting people’s freedoms and civil rights as a reaction to violence like the July London bombings.

Since his election in 2004, Fischer has taken several good gestures toward the Muslim minority.

He invited minority representatives to an iftar banquet in the presidential palace during the Muslims' holy fasting month of Ramadan.