Austria: Already more Muslims than Catholics among Vienna elementary schoolchildren

When I was in Vienna about fourteen or fifteen years ago, I found the Viennese much more interested in blaming “the Jews” for their problems than they were about any societal or cultural threat from Islam. They have the society they have chosen.

“Viennese elementary school children: Already more Muslims than Catholics,” translated from “Wiener Volksschulkinder: Jetzt schon mehr Muslime als Katholiken,” Exxpress, June 11, 2024 (thanks to Medforth):

The current figures were collected by the Education Directorate at public elementary schools, so they do not include the approximately ten percent of private schools. According to them, 35 percent of elementary school students are Muslims, 26 percent have no religious affiliation, 21 percent are Catholic, 13 percent are Orthodox and two percent each are Protestant or belong to another denomination. If private schools are taken into account, the proportion of Muslims would probably fall slightly, sociologist Kenan Güngör told journalists on Tuesday.

Compared to the 2016/17 school year, the proportions have shifted significantly – although the figures were collected differently back then and are not directly comparable; there were gaps in some cases. According to data from the city school board at the time, seven years ago 31 percent were Catholic, 28 percent were Muslim and 17 percent were of no religion.

In view of the figures, Wiederkehr renewed his call for compulsory “Living in a Democracy” lessons for all students from the first year of primary school. This should teach democracy, values ​​and ethics as well as knowledge of all recognized religions. In contrast, a separate subject of religion should only be included in the timetable if requested.

Wiederkehr believes that the current structure with ethics lessons only starting in upper school and only if religion is opted out is fundamentally wrong. However, a change can only be made through a federal law – and here he has already been repeatedly rejected by the ÖVP and the Greens. “But I am very persistent.”

Expert sees parallel developments in schools
In his opinion, the new democracy subject instead of religion should be introduced throughout Austria, even if the high number of Muslim children is primarily an urban phenomenon. Within the Muslim community, there is an increased proportion of people who devalue other groups – such as Jews, LGBTIQ members or women. However, tendencies to devalue other groups are independent of religion – see right-wing extremism – and dealing with democracy and values ​​is relevant for all children in Austria. “But of course you can set different priorities.”

Güngör sees several parallel developments in schools. Due to the strong immigration from the Islamic-Arab region, more people are coming to the country who tend to be more religious – which in and of itself and in most schools is not yet a major problem. In some locations, however, certain ideas of superiority exist due to religion.

At the same time, skepticism towards Islam has increased in society. “Muslim students naturally notice this.” In schools with a high proportion of Muslims, they therefore feel more protected. But it is precisely there that these tendencies to devalue non-believers exist. “Here we have to think in both directions.” This polarization must be addressed.