In the Intersection of Religion, Identity, and Education: The Perceptions of Sunni Muslim Parents Regarding Islam Courses in Austria
In the Intersection of Religion, Identity, and Education: The Perceptions of Sunni Muslim Parents Regarding Islam Courses in Austria

Author(s): Ece Cihan Ertem
Subject(s): Education, Islam studies, Ethnic Minorities Studies
Published by: Transnational Press London
Keywords: Intersection of Religion; Identity; Education; Perceptions; Sunni; Muslim; Parents; Islam; Islam Courses; Austria;
Summary/Abstract: The Muslim population in Austria grew significantly in the second half of the 20th century due to immigration from countries such as Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Much of this population change was the result of guest worker immigration from Turkey to Austria, as well as a product of civil war in former Yugoslavia. According to the statistics of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Austria, the country has a Muslim population of about 335,000 people who hail from various countries including Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and India. The majority of these Muslims are of Turkish origin, constituting 134,210 people, followed by Bosnian and Herzegovinian Muslims, the number of which is reported in official statistics at 96,214. Furthermore, there are between 20,000 and 30,000 Muslims from other countries. The ministry states that the majority of the Muslim population in Austria is Sunni, accounting for about 85 to 90 percent, while about 10 to 15 percent are Shiites, including Iranians, Alevites, and some Kurdish minorities. However, it is essential to note that the Muslim population in Austria includes both immigrants who have received Austrian citizenship and native Austrians who have converted to Islam (Hafez, et al., 2005).

• Details
• Contents