This thesis attempts to give an overview about the life of Muslims in Austria. Members of Muslim denominations have lived in Austria already since the k.u.k. period. Adherents of the Hanefitic school have been recognized as a religious denomination since the introduction of the Islam act (Islamgesetz) on July 15th 1912. On March 11th 1988 this act was changed by the Austrian Constitutional Court in that from then on also all traditional Sunni and Shiite rites were officially recognized in Austria. The Muslims, who live in Austria today, came to the country either as immigrant workers, refugees, students, scientists or relatives of one of these groups. Since the immigration of the first Muslims, millions of second generation Muslims have been born in Europe. To guarantee a working social coexistence, integration attempts have to be made by both, locals and migrants. While learning the German language is frequently seen as a key to successful integration, wearing an Islamic headscarf is often interpreted as a rejection of integration. However, Muslim women's motives for wearing a headscarf are manifold.In Austria Muslim organizations (IGGiÖ) and mosques contribute considerably to their adherents quality of living as they give religious support. In addition, they provide a vital link to state institutions and social services. There are also various organizations for Muslim women such as the Muslimische Jugend Österreich (Muslim Youth Austria), founded in 2006, in which women attempt - just as men - to fully participation and integration. In Austria the conditions for the integration of Muslims are generally favourable since various integration measures have been taken. |