VIENNA, November 3 (IslamOnline.net) - The Muslim community in Austria may be limited in number, but it is sure more lucky than counterparts in other European countries. This is clearer during the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

The Muslim community, almost 350,000, finds it a piece of cake to live the religious atmosphere of Ramadan, especially when Islam is recognized as an official religion in Austria.

That has led to the official acknowledgement of Muslims’ rights and duties in the European country, enhancing Muslims’ integration into the Austrian society.

“There are elements that helped the Muslim community easily integrate, on of which is the enactment of the Islam Law. That Law organizes the living conditions of Muslims, helps enhance positive communication between Muslims, on one hand, and the state and civic society organizations, on the other.

“As a result, Austrian Muslims could integrate in the society, while preserving their identity, adding positively to the ethnic and cultural variety of the society,” Anas Bin Hassan Al-Shakfa, chairman of the official Muslim Religious Body in Austria told IslamOnline.net Tuesday, November 2.

The Muslim community enjoys many privileges and rights, especially during the dawn-to-dusk fasting month, he added.

“Austrian Muslim soldiers have the right to fast and meals are served to them in accordance with times of Iftar and Sahur. This shows how authorities respect Muslims and their religious obligations.”

Hassan Al-Shakfa

The Muslim community in Austria, moreover, faces no problem in inviting Muslim scholars from Arab and Muslim countries to mark the dawn-to-dusk fasting month, IslamOnline.net correspondent said.

A case in point, 20 Muslim scholars from Turkey, Egypt and Jordan have already come to Austria to mark the holy month, contrary to other European countries that slap rigid restrictions on scholars’ access, he added.

In a practical demonstration of the government respect to its Muslim community, Austrian President Heinz Fischer extended invitations to 60 figures of the Muslim community to attend a collective iftar banquet on Ramadan 26 (November 9).

The banquet will be attended by senior government officials, a step seen as a sign of Muslims’ integration in the Austrian society and respect for the minorities’ rights.

Of Austria's nearly eight million population, Muslims make the second largest religious community after the dominant Catholics.

Even Muslims behind bars in Austria get special Ramadan treatment in Austrian jails, as authorities provide them with many facilities during the month of fasting.

Muslims prisoner are allowed to perform Tarawih Prayers, other regular prayers in Jama’ah (congregation), have their meals at iftar times, and provide them with halal meat; that is to say animals are slaughtered in accordance with Islamic Shari’ah.

“Muslims held behind bars outnumber available potentials offered for their care, however, the voluntary work undertakers spare no effort in offering help

to as many of Muslims held in Austrian jails, as possible,” a member of the Muslim Youth Organization told IOL.

He attributed respect of the Austrian reform institutions and understanding of Islamic rituals to the continuous dialogue among the two sides.

He also underlined the need to have Muslims benefit from the privileges granted by the Austrian law, stressing that such privileges yield positive results to Muslim prisoners and encourage the authorities to enhance cooperation with volunteers to offer more care for the Muslim prisoners.

Female Muslims in Austria encounter no hijab problem

Younger Muslim generations in the country feel even more integrated into the Austrian society, enjoying the Ramadan atmosphere on their own way with programs they themselves prepare.

IOL correspondent said young Muslims, hailing from Muslim countries, such as Turkey, Egypt, Syria or Bosnia, live their lives as Austrian citizens, while exchanging Ramadan traditions and habits of their homelands.

“The second and third generations of Austrian Muslims don’t face problems that their peers in other European countries such as France encounter,” Sara Hafez of the Muslim Youth Organization told IOL.

She added hijab forms no problem for the Austrian Muslims as it is considered as a normal tradition.

Austrian Muslims, however, carefully insist on getting their rights granted by law while, at the same time, realizing their duties as Austrian citizens, she maintained.

France has triggered a controversy by adopting a bill  banning hijab and religious insignia in public schools.

The US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) dismissed the French move as "discriminatory". 

They are held in mosques and prayer halls all over the Austrian capital to enhance communication among one another during the holy fasting month.