A visit of Romanian Imams to Vienna

16.05.2017

20 Imams from Romania, led by Mufti Yusuf Murat, visited the University of Vienna in order to learn about the situation of Muslims in Austria and to strengthen the cooperation between European Muslims.

After a reception by the Vice Dean Prof. Schnabl, the program followed by the Romanian Imams included a meeting with the Catholic (Cardinal Schönborn was represented by the Auxiliary Bishop Franz Scharl) and orthodox Church (episcopal bishop Dr. Nicola Dura). Mufti Yusuf Murat said the following after the visit at the University College of Teacher Education of Christian Churches Vienna/Krems (KPH- Krems/Wien): "We have found a lot of inspiration with respect to how we can offer further training to our religious educators in cooperation with other institutions. Keeping this in mind, I have invited professors from the University of Vienna and from the KPH-Wien to Romania for a further exchange of experiences."

Dean Dr. Berger, Vice Dean Grosser and Ms Shakir informed the Imams about the newest developments in the training of educators in Austria. Prof. Takim and Prof. Sejdini gave a report on the education of theologians and religious educators in the German-speaking countries and highlighted the particular importance of the cooperation of European Muslims. Ambassador Wörgetter provided a briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which was also attended by Alex Ivaner (from the Romanian embassy), constitutional Judge Lilian Hofmeister, Pfarrer Spiegelfeld, and Thomas Fiedler from an interfaith district panel. All participants stressed the special role of religion in the preservation of social peace in Europe and welcomed the already present interfaith dialogue. Unfortunately, a visit at the Islamic Religious Authority of Austria (Islamische Glaubensgemeinschaft in Österreich; IGGiÖ) could not take place due to a short-term cancellation by the president Ibrahim Olgun.

The official recognition of Islam in Austria and the Muslim Institutions that are related to this recognition oblige the Muslim authorities to work towards European Islam based on the ideas of Enlightenment, said Professor Aslan after a conversation with Mufti Yusuf Murat. In the opinion of Professor Aslan, various Muslim states, especially in the Balkans, but also some groups in Austria, tried to impede the strengthening of European identity of Muslims. It would be a trap, said Prof. Aslan, for Muslim authorities and Institutions to offer to use their freedom and resources in service of foreign interests.