The West as a common enemy, the spillover of Middle Eastern conflicts into Europe, and the strengthening of online Islamism: these are the three main findings of the Documentation Center for Political Islam’s annual report, which warns of massive dangers.

The findings published in the new annual report of the Documentation Center for Political Islam (Dokumentationsstelle Politischer Islam – DPI) have drawn attention and concern: wars in the Middle East are spilling over into Europe, and increasingly younger teenagers are being radicalized online. Islamist influencers and “lifestyle Salafists” often present themselves as modern. Researchers warn: “Extremism is not a marginal issue – we find it at the heart of society.”

“This report is not just an academic analysis but also a warning signal,”

says Ferdinand Haberl, the institute’s deputy director.

The report highlights „how strongly extremism, ideologies and global conflicts affect our country.”

“Extremism is not a fringe topic, because it is present within our societies,”

Haberl continues.

The annual report makes clear that religiously motivated extremism has become part of “transnational dynamics.”

Are Middle Eastern Conflicts Spreading to Europe?

The first major finding is that conflicts such as the unrest in Syria or Afghanistan are spilling over into Europe and affecting social life here. This is due to online communities that report on events within minutes. The fall of the Assad regime in Syria and the takeover of power by the Islamist HTS alliance, led by ex-jihadist Ahmed al-Schaara, even triggered protests and hostilities among Syrian minorities in Austria (as reported by exxpress).

“This affects coexistence, and actors of political Islam deliberately use it to polarize local communities. It also means that minorities from these regions come under pressure here as well,”
says Lisa Fellhofer, the Center’s director. Islamist YouTubers and influencers also incited against the war in Gaza. In this way, extremist propaganda spread not only to Austria, but across Europe. Extremist groups deliberately exploited international conflicts to mobilize young people in Europe, including Austria.

A Common Enemy Image: The West

There is increasing ideological interconnectedness among Islamist actors — associations, mosques and influencers.

The West and secular society serve as the common enemy image for all Islamist groups.

Fellhofer emphasizes that there is “cross-border resistance building up against the West.”

The third major point is the proliferation of Islamism in the online world.

“Influencers with radical messages are drowning out nuanced voices,”

says Haberl.

Some of the online channels include names like Generation Islam, Realitat Islam or Muslim Interaktiv. These offer simple answers to complex questions. Recently, the so-called “lifestyle Salafists” have increasingly adopted a modern look. They offer merchandise such as clothing, literature or even skincare items.

Der neue Jahresbericht der Dokumentationsstelle Politischer Islam lässt aufhorchen: Nahost-Kriege überschwappen nach Europa, immer jüngere Teenager radikalisieren sich online. Islamistische Influencer und „Lifestyle-Salafisten” geben sich oft modern. Die… https://t.co/sIISe7YUwN

— exxpress (@exxpressat) August 28, 2025

“Anti-Western, Emotionally Charged Content”

Islamist influencers, imams, and groups with a strong social media presence increasingly come together for joint activities such as protests against alleged discrimination and oppression of Muslims. Networking meetings also take place. This shows a merging of the online and offline worlds.

Moreover, the “phenomenon of Islamism” itself is changing. It is shifting away from religious language and theological content, moving instead toward emotional messaging, nationalism and identity politics.

“Today it is about anti-Western, emotionally charged content and narratives that appeal primarily to young people on an emotional level,”

says Mouhanad Khorchide, chairman of the DPI’s scientific advisory board.

Radicalization Starts Younger

The phenomenon is moving away from purely intellectual, religious debates toward emotional identity. At the same time, those becoming radicalized are increasingly younger — often only 13 or 14 years old. The report finds that social media plays a decisive role in recruitment.

“In the German-speaking world, there are more than 100 university departments dealing with right-wing extremism — but not a single one focusing on Islamism or political Islam.”

Thus, there are major research gaps in the Germanic world regarding the phenomenon of Islamism.

Should the Muslim Brotherhood Be Banned?

In its closing questions, exxpress asked the researchers whether they would welcome the classification of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization in Europe. Recently, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that such a designation is under consideration in the United States.

“This will likely prove difficult,” one researcher at the institute replied. The Muslim Brotherhood operates legally and consciously pursues its goals nonviolently. But Haberl added:

“In Jordan, for example, or in Gaza, where Hamas represents them, violence is very much an option for the Muslim Brotherhood. This must be taken into account in such deliberations.”

At the same time, experts warn that the ideology continues to spread despite restrictions or classifications and has long since taken root beyond groups like the Muslim Brotherhood.

A “Decisively” Relevant Issue for Europe

Fellhofer told online media: “From a legal perspective, it will be harder to designate the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group than an organisation that openly calls for physical terror, such as murder, in Europe. A group that participates in the legal system and advances through institutions poses a tougher case. One must examine whether it violates fundamental rights or seeks to override the European Convention on Human Rights.” The issue is “decisively” relevant at the European level, because political Islam has cross-border actors and networks.