Political Islam in Europe: Ideologies, Networks, and Security Challenges
Political Islam has become an increasingly important issue across Europe, shaping public debates about integration, security, democracy, and the future of the European way of life. Religious activism, transnational networks, and foreign influences do not only affect Muslim communities, but also broader questions of social cohesion and political stability. At the same time, concerns about polarization, radicalization, and violent extremism pose serious challenges for European societies and policymakers. This conference brings together scholars and experts to better understand these developments and their consequences. By examining ideas, community dynamics, and security risks together, it aims to provide a clearer picture of the challenges Europe faces and to encourage thoughtful, balanced responses that strengthen resilience, coexistence, and European values.
Program:
9.00–9.15: Opening Remarks
9.15–9.45: Keynote speech: Susanne Schröter (Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany)
Islam and Women’s rights in Europe
1. Ideology, Religion, and Values
Beliefs, doctrine, and norm conflicts shaping political Islam in Europe
9.45–11.00
Ednan Aslan (University of Vienna, Austria) – Islamist Antisemitism in Europe – Theological and Societal Backgrounds
Zoltan Pall (Charles University, Czechia) – What Salafism Does: Everyday Piety, Authority, and Religious Debate Beyond Politics
Omar Sayfo (Migration Research Institute, Hungary) – Agency Outsourcing: A Possible Driver of Lone-Actor Violence in Europe
11.00–11.30: Coffee break
2. Communities, Networks, and Political Influence
How political Islam is organized and embedded within European societies
11.30–12.45:
Guy Dampier (Prosperity Institute, UK) – From Londonistan to the Gaza Independents: Britain and Political Islam
Laszlo Csicsmann (Corvinus University, Hungary) – Middle Eastern rivalries (UAE–Muslim Brotherhood) and Muslim communities in the EU
Andrea Bianchi (Mathias Corvinus Collegium, Belgium) – Moroccan presence in Europe – risk perception
12.45–14.00: Lunch
3. Radicalization, Security, and Resilience
From polarization to violence and state responses
14.00–15.30
Viktor Marsai (Migration Research Institute, Hungary) – Imported Radicalization from the Horn of Africa: Al-Shabab, the Islamic State, and the Somali Diaspora in Europe
Ferdinand Haberl (Documentation Centre Political Islam, Austria) – Islamist Ideologies, Polarisation and Democratic Resilience
Florian Hartleb (Modul University, Austria) – Political Islam and Islamist Terrorism in Europe: movement dynamics and limits of policy responses
The event is free to attend, but requires prior registration.
Registration: https://mcc.hu/…/2026-03-03-political-islam-in-europe…
Registration: https://mcc.hu/…/2026-03-03-political-islam-in-europe…

