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Religions
Pope Francis Deceased: Expressions of Grief From Austria
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88. As the Vatican confirmed, the Holy Father succumbed to the consequences of a stroke. The world is mourning the loss of a head of the Church who championed social justice, interreligious dialogue, and a church of closeness like no other. Many voices of grief and condolences have also been heard from Austria.
April 21, 2025
Austrian Bishops' Conference Meets in Hungary for the First Time Without Cardinal Schönborn
For the first time in its history, the Austrian Bishops' Conference is holding its spring plenary meeting at the Benedictine Archabbey of Pannonhalma in Hungary. Following the resignation of Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, he will no longer be attending the meeting. He will be replaced by the Apostolic Administrator Josef Grünwidl.
March 14, 2025
Islamic Religious Community in Austria on the Future of Imam Training
With the symposium “Imams in modern society: training paths and social responsibility”, the Islamic Religious Community in Austria (IGGÖ) initiated a discussion about the role of imams in Austria. The event aimed to lay the foundations for Austrian imam training that does justice to both the religious traditions of Muslim communities and the requirements of a pluralistic society.
December 2, 2024
Austria's Commitment to Freedom of Religion and Belief: From Red Wednesday to International Alliances
On “Red Wednesday”, a campaign by the international Catholic aid organization Aid to the Church in Need, the focus is on the fate of millions of persecuted, oppressed, and threatened Christians. Numerous buildings around the world, including in Austria, will be illuminated in red to commemorate the victims of persecution and violence. The Austrian Foreign Ministry has actively supported this campaign for years and is committed to freedom of religion and belief as well as the protection of religious minorities - at national and international levels.
November 24, 2024
IGGÖ President Vural Makes Clear Position Against Extremism
In a powerful speech, Ümit Vural, President of the Islamic Religious Community in Austria (IGGÖ), called for a joint effort to combat extremism and strengthen social cohesion. In view of the increasing challenges posed by terrorist attacks, geopolitical conflicts and heated security debates in the run-up to the upcoming elections, Vural emphasized the responsibility and long-standing role of the IGGÖ as a state-recognized religious community in Austria.
August 27, 2024
Harmony and Dialogue at the Interreligious Iftar in Vienna
In an impressive demonstration of unity, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and the President of the Islamic Religious Community in Austria (IGGÖ), Ümit Vural, hosted an unprecedented interfaith iftar. The event, which took place in the historic Palais Niederösterreich, brought together representatives of different religious communities and personalities from politics, science, and diplomacy.
March 20, 2024
Vienna's Mayor Establishes "Council of Religions" to Foster Interfaith Dialogue and Peace
Vienna's Mayor, Michael Ludwig, convened a significant meeting at the cityhall, bringing together representatives from diverse religious groups in response to recent developments in the Middle East. These events underscore the vital role of religious tolerance and understanding in maintaining peaceful coexistence in society.
October 19, 2023
Travel Tips in Austria: Admont Abbey Library in Styria
The Admont Abbey Library makes a decisive contribution to the attractiveness of Styria as a vacation destination and inspires visitors worldwide to visit Austria.
April 19, 2023
Persian Community in Austria Celebrates Iranian New Year Nouruz
Nouruz is celebrated every year by the Persian community in Vienna. It marks the beginning of the Persian new year and the beginning of spring at the same time. We wish you all a wonderful festivity!
March 20, 2023
Annual Meeting for Intercultural and Religious Dialogue of the European People's Party in Vienna
The annual meeting of the Working Group on Intercultural and Religious Dialogue of the European People's Party (EPP) parliamentary group in the European Parliament took place this weekend in Vienna. Without religions and their contribution to the formation of values, a future for Europe is unimaginable, according to the EPP.
December 11, 2022
Leadership of the Islamic Religious Community in Austria Becomes More Female
The leadership of the Islamic Religious Community of Austria (IGGÖ) is becoming more female. With the social-care assistant Mashaer Ali Hamad, four of the 15 members of the highest administrative body, the Supreme Council, will be women in the future.
June 26, 2022
Fight Against Anti-Semitism: Vienna Invites to the European Conference on Anti-Semitism
In order to counter the rising number of anti-Semitic incidents around the world in recent months, the European Conference on Anti-Semitism is taking place in Austria with the participation of international organisations and 15 European member states. The aim is to promote networking and to send a clear signal for the fight against anti-Semitism and for a prosperous Jewish life in Europe.
May 18, 2022
Vienna's Buddhist Community Celebrates the Vesak Festival
Today, the Vesak festival is celebrated by Buddhists all over the world. It commemorates the birth, enlightenment and complete extinction of Buddha Siddhartha Gautama and thus his exit from the cycle of rebirth. We wish all devout Buddhists a happy festival!
May 16, 2022
Saudi Center KAICIID's Relocation from Vienna to Lisbon Completed
The Portuguese Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Augusto Santos Silva and KAICIID Secretary General, Faisal bin Muaammar signed the Headquarters Agreement in Lisbon. Austria has one less international organization, while Portugal will now host nine international organizations. Faisal bin Muaammar has now completed his second term as planned. Ms. Elham Alshejni currently serves as the Interim Deputy Secretary General of KAICIID.
November 23, 2021
Loss for Vienna: Relocation of Saudi Center to Lisbon Finalized
The controversial KAICIID (King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue), which is largely financed by Saudi Arabia and is currently based in Vienna, will relocate to Lisbon.
October 25, 2021
Violence Based on Religion or Belief: Vienna Human Rights Envoy Calls for Release of Detainees
On the International Day of Remembrance for Victims of Violence Based on Religion or Belief Vienna’s Human Rights Commissioner called for the release of Iranian Sotoudeh and Egyptian Santawy while reaffirming the need for freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
August 26, 2021
Hate Crime Motives in Austria: Ethnicity, Ideology and Religion
The Ministry of the Interior released a report on hate crimes in Austria. The report showed that the leading hate crime motives were ethnicity, ideology, and religion. Read more about the report.
July 29, 2021
New Lockdown: No Public Church Services After December 27
Also during the upcoming lockdown, Austria's Minister of Cultural Affairs together with representatives of churches and religious communities have agreed to suspend all public church services until January 17. Places of worship will, however, stay open for personal prayers.
December 22, 2020
Lockdown: Public Church Services Suspended Until Further Notice
In addition to the measures put in place by the federal government, Austria's Minister of Cultural Affairs together with representatives of churches and religious communities have agreed to suspend all public church services until further notice. Places of worship will, however, stay open for personal prayers.
November 17, 2020
Austria's Foreign Minister: Hagia Sophia To Be Turned Into a Mosque Is the Latest Link in a Chain of Provocations
Turkey is moving further and further away from European values and is simply not a reliable partner for Europe. The EU must conduct a policy towards Turkey with a strong edge and clear language, based on a solid foundation of values. The EU should also make a clear cut when it comes to accession negotiations.
July 13, 2020
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the Russian Embassy Vienna
The Russian Embassy in Vienna is the diplomatic representation of Russia vis-à-vis the Republic of Austria. Since 1891 it has been located in Reisnerstrasse in the 3rd district of Vienna, in the former palace of the banker Israel Simon and the Duke of Nassau. The two most important meetings that took place there were those between Nikita Khrushchev and John F. Kennedy, and between Leonid Brezhnev and Jimmy Carter.
September 19, 2019
Reception for Representatives of Churches and Religious Communities
Brigitte Bierlein and Alexander Schallenberg invited the representatives of the churches and religious communities based in Austria to the Federal Chancellery.
September 10, 2019
Inaugural Visit of the New Evangelical Lutheran Bishop Chalupka
The intertwining of climate change and justice as well as the responsibility of man and the Protestant Church before God were central points of the discussion.
September 10, 2019
Closure of Controversial King Abdullah Center in Vienna Decided
The Austrian National Council has decided to close the King Abdullah Centre in Vienna. The KAICIID - King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, which is largely financed by Saudi Arabia, has long been controversial. The imminent death sentence of 18-year-old Murtaja Qureiris in Saudi Arabia was the immediate cause. The majority decision of parliament must now be implemented by the Foreign Ministry under Alexander Schallenberg. The Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) spoke out in favour of a new centre under the auspices of the UN.
June 13, 2019
Headscarf Ban at Elementary Schools Confirmed by Austrian Federal Council
The so-called headscarf ban, the ban on covering the head of children from the age of six to ten for ideological and religious reasons, was approved by the Federal Council (Bundesrat) despite controversial debate. For Minister of Education Faßmann, the ban on headscarves corresponds to the socio-political consensus on the development of children as freely as possible and the necessity to overcome gender-specific stereotypes.
June 3, 2019
Austria's Religious Controversy over Good Friday Holiday - Statement of the ECJ
The judgement of the European Court of Justice published yesterday is now available at Vindobona.org and can be reviewed by interested parties. According to Chancellery Minister and Austrian People's Party government coordinator Gernot Blümel, the Austrian federal government will also do the same, according to which the status quo will be maintained and no new holiday will be introduced. But until Austria changes the clause, employers would have to grant all employees the right to a holiday on Good Friday. If employees could not make themselves free, they would be entitled to additional pay.
January 23, 2019
Veiled, Unveiled! The Headscarf - A Man’s Word on a Woman’s Body
An intriguing exhibition at the World Museum Vienna deals with the significance of the headscarf and thus also touches on a current dispute in various countries about a so-called headscarf ban. Just a piece of cloth but laden with countless facets of meaning is causing a stir: the headscarf used by devout women to cover their head, their face, and occasionally their whole body. The religious duty of women to cover their head has been part of European culture for centuries, though. Its story begins with early Christianity and has remained a vibrant issue to this day.
October 11, 2018
Foreign Ministry: "Freedom of Religion in Austria"
The first meeting of the Interreligious Dialogue Platform at the Austrian Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs took place. Integration Minister launches an initiative for dialogue with recognised churches and religious communities in Austria.
June 3, 2014
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