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Enter your search terms Web www.virtualvienna.net Submit search form Send an E-Card Send Free Online Greeting Cards to your friends & loved ones. Vienna Links Moslem.at (German) The voice of Islam in Austria The Turkish Face of Vienna Through the course of history, Vienna has always been a melting pot for a variety of nationalities. A real Viennese has Slav as well as Hungarian and Italian, German, Jewish and sometimes even Turkish blood, since Turkish captives of the wars against the Ottoman Empire were generally converted to the Catholic faith and then led life like and as an Austrian. The Mosque in Floridsdorf In the North of Vienna across the Danube and amongst the allotments stands a solitary minaret in the district of Floridsdorf. The 32-metre tower, completed in November 1977, today marks the site of the Islamic Centre in Vienna.	Islam in Austria The Austrian Government has constitutionally acknowledged Islam as a religion since 1912. Muslims also occupy good positions within the Austrian civil service, and the first mosque was built in the Austrian capital in 1887. In fact, Emperor Franz Joseph had donated a sum of money for the construction of a mosque, but when the First World War broke out the project was cancelled. The foundation stone for the building of the first Islamic Center in Austria was laid in 1968, and its Trustee Council was formed under the chairmanship of Hassan Al-Tuhamiy, Egypt's ambassador to Austria at the time, who later became secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). In November 1977 the Center was inaugurated and has since been playing an important role in teaching the Muslims in Austria matters related to their religion. Ramadan, Septemner 12, 2007            Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The much-anticipated start of the month is based on a combination of physical sightings of the moon and astronomical calculations. The practice varies from place to place, some places relying heavily on sighting reports and others totally on calculations. Fasting during Ramadan - the holiest month of the Islamic calendar - is one of Islam's five pillars. Muslims believe that it was during Ramadan that the Quran, their holy book, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad some 1,400 years ago. During the month, devout Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex between sunrise and sunset. Muslims think of it as a kind of tune-up for their spiritual lives. Example: For Turkish Muslims In Austria the cycle of a fasting day is closed with a sip of water and a date or an olive. Then typical meals for the Ramadan are prepared, friends and neighbours are invited. There are as many meanings of Ramadan as there are Muslims. More Info Eid-ul-Fitr Nov. October 13, 2007 The celebration at the end of Ramadan called 'Eid-ul-Fitr (the Festival of Fast-Breaking) begins. Eid is an Arabic word derived from root of a-w-d. Literally it means a recurring event. In Islam it denotes the festivals of ISLAM. The word Eid occurs in the Qur'an once meaning a joyous recurring occasion. It is a joyous occasion, similar to Christmas in its celebration with strong religious significance. The giving of a special charity for this occasion is obligatory. Muslims dress in holiday attire, attend a special community prayer.  After prayer Muslims in Vienna also celebrate outside of the mosque with games and activities for the children. Greetings of "'Eid Mubarak," or "a blessed 'Eid" are exchanged. Children are normally given gifts. Also, women (particularly mothers, wives, sisters and daughters) are normally given special gifts by their loved ones. The celebration of 'Eid-ul-Fitr lasts three days, although the main festivities occur on the first day.

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