Vienna Celebrates Diversity

Austria has just celebrtaed its100-year-old Law on Islam, seen as a symbol of toleranc for Muslims across Europe.

The law gives Muslims the same rights as other officially recognised religions in Austria, such as Catholicism, Lutheranism, Judaism and Buddhism. At the weekend senior members of the Austrian government and the country’s Islamic Community attended ceremonies to mark the centenary. Islam has been an officially recognised religion in Austria for 100 years.

The Law on Islam, described as unique in Europe by members of the Austrian Islamic Community, guarantees Muslims in the country wide-ranging rights including religious education in state schools, administration of internal affairs and public worship.

In a speech at Vienna’s neo-Gothic town hall, the head of Austria’s Islamic Community, Fuat Sanac, described the law as an example for the rest of Europe. Islam in Austria, he said, was seen by most people as an enrichment, not as a danger.

Austria’s President Heinz Fischer, speaking at the same ceremony, called for peaceful and respectful relations. He stressed that Austria’s official religions, because of their legal status, were obliged to “respect and accept the laws of the state”.