Vienna Church Defaced with Arabic and Syrian Nationalist Graffiti
A church in Vienna was repeatedly defaced with Arabic slogans and Syrian nationalist clan codes in December 2025, prompting a police investigation.
On the nights of 19–20 and 20–21 December 2025, the façade of St. Johann der Evangelist, also known as Keplerkirche, in Vienna was extensively vandalised with Arabic writing and numerical codes linked to Syrian nationalist clan symbolism. Among the graffiti were Arabic phrases such as “Oh, protect Allah,” as well as slogans reading “Free Askan” (or “Askar”) and “Free Sisi.” In addition, the numbers 505 and 515 were sprayed on the church façade. According to security sources, the code 505 refers to the Al-Aqidat clan from Deir Ezzor in eastern Syria, while German constitutional protection authorities have linked 515 to an offshoot of the originally Saudi Banu Hashim tribe. Both codes function as markers of clan identity and nationalist affiliation and were reportedly used during violent street clashes in Vienna in the summer of 2024.
Parish priest Matthias Felber, who shares the authorities’ assessment regarding the perpetrators’ background, described the emotional impact of the attack, stating: “I cried for the first few days, but my staff calmed me down.” He also expressed concern about the financial burden of removing the graffiti and pointed to a broader pattern of hostility, noting: “This isn’t the only church that’s been vandalised; there’s a certain callousness about it now.” Police have confirmed that they are investigating the case and that the codes 505 and 515 have been known to security authorities for some time.
Image: DerVirgul