VIENNA, June 8, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – With increasing university and post-graduate degrees, Muslims in Austria draw a new image of Muslims and rectify the misconception that they only come to Europe only seeking jobs.

"Educated Muslims are more able to integrate into western societies without giving up their Islamic identity," Wafaa Al-Husari, a Syrian residing in Austria since eight years, told IslamOnline.net Wednesday, June 8.

Al-Husari recently got her degree in Shari`ah and jurisprudence studies from the European Faculty for Islamic Studies in France.

Waleed Ali Abdul-Rahman, a Sudanese medical student, agreed.

"Preserving the Islamic identity in western societies requires young Muslims, especially those born and educated in the West, to be open-minded."

The number of Arab and Muslim students in Austrian universities is estimated at 2472, including 249 studying in Vienna University.

In 2004, 2891 Arab and Muslim students were enlisted in post-graduate studies, including MAs and PHDs.

"We need more teachers, engineers, physicians and politicians to satisfy the increasing needs of the Austrian Muslims," Rawi said

Abdul-Rahman urged fellow Muslims, who obtained their degreed from European universities, to help work out solutions to the many problems facing the Muslim minorities.

"We should be the bridge with the other."

Ali Suleiman, Egyptian researcher, agreed that educated Muslims bear a huge responsibility toward their minority and faith.

"With their degrees and hard work, young Muslims in the West prove that Islam is a religion of tolerance, which encourages followers to seek better education to best represent their country and religion."

Islamic organizations in Austria are keen on honoring Muslim graduates and post-graduates to encourage them.

On June 3, the Islamic cultural council organized a special reception in honor of Muslim graduates, that was attended by Anas Shakfa, the chairman of the umbrella Islamic Religious Authority (IRA).

"You are the cornerstone for promoting development and integration in society," he told the graduates and post-graduates.

Omar Al-Rawi, IRA’s official in charge of the integration file, underlined the need for more specialists to meet the minority needs.

"We need more teachers, engineers, physicians and politicians to satisfy the increasing needs of the Austrian Muslims."

Muslims, estimated at nearly half a million, make up some 6 per cent of Austrian population.