VIENNA, February 18, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – A human rights activist has warned the integration of Muslims in Austria could be impeded by numerous violations and acts of discrimination against community members.

Despite the official trend, which makes the conditions of Muslims much better than those in other European countries, Muslims in Austria suffer violations at a societal level, according to Turfa Bagaghati, deputy chairman of the European Network Against Racism (ENAR).

Bagaghati was speaking to IslamOnline.net Thursday, February 17, two days after the Council of Europe’s expert body on combating racism, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), released a new report examining racism, xenophobia and intolerance in Austria.

“Racism and racial discrimination still affect the daily lives of members of minority groups, and particularly of Black Africans and Muslims,” in Austria, read the report.

The Austrian government was quick to refute the report, to which it reacted with resentment.

Muslims make up some 8 per cent of Austria’s eight million population.

Bagaghati said that women and children bear the brunt of that discrimination.

Many Muslim women could not find a suitable job opportunity, and children are also exposed to several other problems and curriculum misconceptions on Islam, he said, citing examples of various forms of discrimination.

Muslim girls at a Vienna-based fashion school complained that the ironing teacher asked them to remove hijab on claims the headdress could be burnt or obstruct the class.

Sports teachers have sometimes forced students to remove hijab -- an obligatory code of dress in Islam -- claiming it would hurt them while running.

Bagaghati noted that school textbooks also carry some misleading information on Islam, hindering efforts for Muslims' smooth integration in the European society.

Women could not be recruited in jobs that suit their academic qualifications or social status, he maintained, adding that Austrian employers usually exclude foreigners in general and hijab-clad women in particular unjustly.

Bagaghati’s ENAR was established in 1998, including members of 600 non-governmental organizations across Europe. It is dedicated to fighting anti-racism and xenophobia.

Austria was slammed for discriminating against foreigners, especially Africans.

The report of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) dealt with minorities' status in five EU states, including Austria.

While highlighting some positive points, the report, however, detailed continuing grounds for concern for the Commission.

According to the report, there is still significant differentiation in law and practice between Austrian and other EU citizens, on one hand, and between Austrian and non-EU citizens, on the other, negatively affecting social and political integration of all segments of the Austrian society.

The report further highlighted injustices and humiliation of Muslims when they publicly practice their religious rituals.

The status of women deteriorated since the commission’s 2001 report, it said, citing cases of harassment and unfair treatment of hijab-clad employees as well as cases of forcing students to take off hijab at school.

The report also slammed an official decision obliging permanent Austrian residents to sign the so-called "integration charter", which asks them to learn German and fine them if they fail to pass language tests.

Bagaghati concurred, saying law and police should not be responsible for teaching the official language of the country.

The Austrian government should review the policy of making it a must to learn the country's language to get a visa, he added, explaining that psychologists say language learning needs an internal, not just an outside, motivation.

The Austrian government, however, reacted with resentment to the report, saying the country is the most welcoming to foreigners among EU countries.

Austria was the first EU country to send policemen to attend a US rights group-run program on how best to deal with foreigners and minorities, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

The spokesman refuted the report, saying failing to attend integration courses does not lead to fines, which could also be cancelled if foreigners do not turn up for language lessons.

Islam, which was officially acknowledged in Austria in 1912, is considered the second religion in the country after Catholicism.

A recent report has acknowledged that the Muslim community have fared well  in 2004 showing great ability to integrate smoothly into Austrian society.

There are 76 mosques and prayer rooms across the country, including 53 in Vienna alone, according to recent statistics.