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European imams meet

VIENNA: Muslim leaders and imams from across Europe looked ahead on Friday to a gathering that one official called a ``critical moment'' for the faith: Trying to develop a clear identity for European Muslims that can preserve traditions but integrate with Western political and social values. The conference, bringing together more than 150 participants from Britain to Turkey, also seeks to forge new alliances to confront issues of cultural isolation, youth anger and worries about growing radical movements among Europe's estimated 33 million Muslims. ``This is a critical moment for the Islam in Europe,'' said Mouddar Khouja, a top adviser with the Islamic community in Austria. ``Muslims can integrate and participate, which is our goal, or remain on the fringes. This is where the danger lies.'' The challenge for Muslim leaders is to encourage a brand of Islam that rests comfortably in the West and no longer defines itself solely as extensions of homelands in the Arab world and South Asia, organisers said. ``We remain Muslim, but our point of reference must be Europe. This is our home,'' said Mr. Khouja. — AP

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