Only 21% Catholic

Muslims already the largest group in elementary school!

The number of Muslim pupils in Vienna's schools has risen sharply. Around a third of primary school pupils in the current school year are Muslim, making them the largest religious group.

(Bild: Ulrich Baumgarten / vario images / picturedesk.com)

The latest data collection by the Department of Education on religious denomination in Viennese elementary school is quite something. Just six years ago, the majority of Vienna's pupils were Christian. But now Islam is the number one religion in the classrooms of the federal capital.

According to the latest survey of religious denominations, 35 percent of pupils in public elementary school are Muslim. 26 percent have no religious denomination. Only 21 percent are Roman Catholic. 13 percent of pupils are Orthodox. Two percent are Protestant and two percent belong to another denomination. The official figures were presented on Tuesday morning by Deputy Mayor and City Councillor for Education Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS). 

(Bild: Krone KREATIV)

Compared to the 2016/17 school year, the proportions have thus shifted significantly - although the figures were collected differently back then and are not directly comparable, there were some gaps, according to the Vienna Education Directorate. According to data from the City School Board at the time, seven years ago 31% were Catholic, 28% Muslim and 17% of no religion.

Muslim youngsters are significantly more religious

Wiederkehr emphasizes that faith is a private matter and that freedom of faith and religion is a very valuable asset. An intensive dialog is practiced in Vienna, which is an important part of our society and would accompany the demographic change.

Living together in Vienna works well for the most part, but religious conflicts are on the rise.

Vizebürgermeister und Bildungsstadtrat Christoph Wiederkehr (Neos)

Bild: krone.tv

At the same time, surveys show that Muslim young people in Vienna are not only significantly more religious on average, but also increasingly hold derogatory attitudes such as anti-Semitism, LGBTIQ hostility or a rejection of gender equality, according to the office of Deputy Mayor Wiederkehr. So what political steps does the city intend to take as a result?

Uproar over Wiederkehr's call for a common school subject

Wiederkehr wants to introduce the compulsory subject "Living in a democracy". Religious education would then only be available on a voluntary basis. That would be a complete change to the system. In view of these developments, the Neos politician is calling for a compulsory common subject "Living in a democracy" for all children from the first year of elementary school more than ever. Wiederkehr would therefore like to restart the discussion and remain very persistent. The new democracy subject should be introduced throughout Austria, as violence statistics have risen in all federal states.

The Vienna FPÖ has voiced strong criticism. Club chairman Maximilian Krauss: "This is a genuflection to Islam and especially to Islamists who have no respect for women and want to establish a caliphate in Vienna. Wiederkehr can kiss his Islamization fantasies goodbye", said Krauss. The Freedom Party demands that religious education must remain.

"Religious education stays!"

ÖVP Culture Minister Susanne Raab is also against Wiederkehr's idea and explained to the "Krone" newspaper: "Religious education is constitutionally protected in Austria and will remain so. Civic education and information about life in a democracy must be an important part of school lessons. However, I simply reject the fact that the Neos are now calling for the abolition of religious education," said Raab. A clear "no" also comes from Education Minister Martin Polaschek (ÖVP): "In times of increasing cultural tensions, thinking about abolishing religious education is simply strange to me." For him, one thing is clear: "Religious education is here to stay!"

Wiederkehr counters criticism
But in view of these reactions, Wiederkehr clarifies: "The subject of religion should not be abolished. The assumption is wrong. Religious education is already voluntary and students can opt out at any time. This will not be changed," says the deputy mayor's office. However, the subject "Living in a democracy" is to be made compulsory - religion will remain voluntary. Wiederkehr: "I want religious education to remain. But yes, I want democracy to be a compulsory subject. Why are people afraid of an education in democracy that teaches how to live together amicably, how to treat the sexes well and how to respect human rights?"

39 percent

This is the proportion of Muslim pupils in public primary, secondary and special schools as well as polytechnic schools in the federal capital.

In its next statement, which is due to be published at the end of the year, the Vienna Integration Council will also address basic democratic attitudes and group-related devaluation tendencies in our immigration society. 

Two districts are still ahead of Favoriten

The latest figures from the Vienna Education Directorate show that the fastest-growing group in elementary school are pupils with no religious affiliation. But how high is the proportion of pupils who attend Islamic religious education in relation to the total number of pupils?

Integration expert Kenan Güngör says that in some locations there are ideas of superiority based on religion.

(Bild: Werner Dedl, Berufsfotograf)

The data was collected by denomination and school type. There are only official figures for primary, secondary and special schools as well as polytechnic schools in Vienna. If you take a closer look at the individual districts, Brigittenau (68.7%), Margareten (63.7%) and Favoriten (62.5%) stand out in particular. The overall percentage is highest here.

Sociologist and integration expert Kenan Güngör identifies several parallel developments in the schools. Due to strong immigration from the Islamic-Arabic region, more people are coming into the country who tend to be more religious - which in itself and at most schools is not yet a major problem. However, certain ideas of superiority exist in some locations. "The need for social action has increased immensely," says Güngör. The expert will be conducting a study on behalf of the city in which attitudes of devaluation among young people with and without a migration background in Vienna will be surveyed.