Austrian supermarket stops selling halal meat after Islamophobic postings

Austria's second-biggest supermarket chain has stopped a trial of selling halal meat after a storm of what it called "shocking" Islamophobic comments on social media.

"Because of (unfounded!) accusations and the overheated Facebook discussion, SPAR is ending its trial sale of halal meat in Vienna," the firm said in a statement on Thursday.

"As a local retailer for all communities in Austria we are sad and shocked by the tone of this discussion and taking the necessary steps," it added.

SPAR began last month selling two halal meat products -- from animals slaughtered according to Islamic sharia law, widely available in other European countries -- in 20 supermarkets in areas of Vienna with sizable Muslim populations.

But the firm's Facebook page was inundated with comments criticizing the trial, with many taking their opportunity to lash out at Islam, immigration and multiculturalism.

"What next -- that you're only allowed to go shopping in a burqa or what?," one posting read, referring to the traditional face veil worn by some Muslim women.

"Halal stands for everything that Islam is about -- brutality, contempt for life and intolerance for anyone who thinks or believes differently," another comment read.

Anti-immigration sentiments have long been on the rise in European countries. European attitudes toward minorities living in the EU show that there are considerable negative perceptions of minorities. The negative attitudes are more common among people on the ideological right, paving the way for growing concerns of far-right extremism and Islamophobia in Europe. Far-right principles, anti-immigration, nationalism and Euroscepticism has found significant support from many Europeans over the past few years.