Islam Dominates: Almost Every Second Compulsory School Student in Vienna is Muslim
Children with Islamic faith make up not only the largest group in Vienna's primary and middle schools, but their proportion has also slightly increased. It stands at 41.2 percent. This is according to recent data collection, as reported by the office of Education Councillor Bettina Emmerling (NEOS) to the APA. The comparative figure a year ago was 39.4 percent.
Islam proportion in Vienna's primary and middle schools is 41.2 percent
The proportion of students with Christian faith is a total of 34.5 percent. The proportion of Roman Catholic children is 17.5 percent, while that of Orthodox children is 14.5 percent. Following are children without a denomination (23 percent), as well as Buddhism (0.2 percent) and Judaism (0.1 percent). Other religious communities are listed at 0.9 percent. In total, around 112,600 kids in primary, middle, special, and polytechnic schools were considered in the survey.
Muslim students increasingly hold derogatory attitudes
In Vienna, Emmerling emphasized, an intensive and interfaith dialogue is practiced. Especially for young people, human dignity, pluralism, and democracy must be a matter of course - just like the equal treatment of men and women. In the early years of development, it is often easier to learn and live the ability to embrace plurality, she noted.
At the same time, studies also show that Muslim youths in Vienna are not only significantly more religious on average, but they also increasingly hold derogatory attitudes. Observed are, for example, antisemitism, LGBTIQ hostility, or a rejection of gender equality.
Subject "Living in a Democracy" Demanded
No one in Vienna should live their life according to the fundamentalist interpretation of religious texts that are hostile to women, minorities, the state, or democracy, stated the NEOS politician.
"In light of these developments, there is a greater need than ever for a mandatory joint subject 'Living in a Democracy' for all children starting from primary school. Democracy, values, and ethics education must take place on a common foundation," demanded Emmerling. She welcomes the fact that the pink education minister Christoph Wiederkehr has already presented plans in this regard.
Update: Proportion of Christian Students in Vienna Slightly Higher
The number of Christian students in Vienna's compulsory schools is slightly higher than previously stated. According to a Kathpress report, out of a total of 124,430 students, 47,696 have a Christian affiliation. This corresponds to 38.3 percent. In the data collection by City Councilor for Education Emmerling, a figure of 34.5 percent had been determined. The difference arises because the current survey by the school office of the Archdiocese of Vienna also includes the numbers from Catholic private schools. Of the 11,830 students there, 8,849 are Christian, which increases the overall proportion.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.