Askin Kiyagan

Austrian Greens take flak over alleged coalition deal for headscarf ban Thought to be ally to Muslims in Austria, Greens party rejects allegations that erupted after emergence of leaked documents

February 2, 2022 Askin Kiyagan

(Anadolu) Austria’s Greens party continued to take public criticism on Wednesday over an alleged coalition agreement to ban headscarves for teachers in schools. Recently leaked documents suggested that the Greens had engaged in an undisclosed deal with the Austrian People’s Party (OVP) […]

Austria drops ‘political Islam’ from controversial bill Gov't replaces contentious phrase with 'religiously-motivated extremism' in revised terrorism draft law

December 17, 2020 Askin Kiyagan

(Anadolu) Austria’s coalition government on Wednesday revised its controversial “anti-terror” law, using the phrase “religiously motivated extremism” instead of “political Islam.” Following a cabinet meeting, Interior Minister Karl Nehammer, Justice Minister Alma Zadic and Integration Minister Susanne Raab announced a package of […]

Do not link religion with terror, Austrian clerics warn Anadolu Agency speaks to an imam, a bishop and a chief rabbi as Islamophobia soars in European country

November 23, 2020 Askin Kiyagan

(Anadolu) As racism and discrimination against Muslims in Austria soars, particularly after a terror attack on Nov. 2, clerics in the European country warn the authorities not to associate terrorism with any religion. After a hijab and face veil ban, and ban […]

Austria: Proposed headscarf ban receives condemnation Former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz proposes to ban headscarf in secondary schools as election promise

September 12, 2019 Askin Kiyagan

(Anadolu) Austrians have reacted to former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz’s proposed headscarf ban as an election promise as political fever before the Sept. 29 general elections is running high in the country. Kurz, chairman of the Austrian People’s Party who is known for […]

Austria: Opinion leaders condemn Muslim headscarf ban Law bans headscarves for girls under age of 10 at all primary schools across country, including private schools

May 22, 2019 Askin Kiyagan

(Anadolu) Opinion leaders say the ban in Austria on religious headscarves in primary schools is clearly discriminatory against Muslims and contradicts with the principles of equality and freedom of religion. The bill, which was passed in Austria’s parliament on May 15 and […]

Vienna mayor condemns racism, anti-religious sentiment Michael Ludwig says people in Austria should stand together against anti-Muslim agitation

May 15, 2019 Askin Kiyagan

(Anadolu) The mayor of Austria’s capital city of Vienna condemned racism and discrimination in the country Tuesday, calling these types of agitation against Muslims worrying. Michael Ludwig said during an iftar or fast-breaking meal in Vienna that people in Austria should stand […]

Austrian court axes decision to shut down mosques Far-right government last year decided to shut 7 mosques and expel imams

February 15, 2019 Askin Kiyagan and Handan Kazanci

(Anadolu) A court in Austria annulled a government plan to shut down six mosques belonging to the Arab community, a Muslim body said late on Thursday. In a statement, Umit Vural, head of the Islamic Religious Community of Austria (IGGO), said that […]

Muslim leader in Austria slams change to report cards 'Islam' replaced in title of elective religious courses with abbreviation for representative body for Muslim community

February 2, 2019 Askin Kiyagan

(Anadolu) A Muslim leader in Austria expressed shock Friday over a change in the title of elective courses on Islam in school report cards to “IGGO,” the abbreviation for the Islamic Religious Community of Austria. “The institution or organization that represents the […]

Austria prepares for headscarf ban in primary schools If draft law passes parliament, children under 10 will be prohibited to wear headscarf, violations will be fined

November 21, 2018 Askin Kiyagan

(Anadolu) Austria’s far-right government has introduced a draft law to the parliament to ban the headscarf in primary schools, planning to implement it without the support of the opposition. Transport Minister Norber Hofer told a news conference following the Council of Ministers […]

Austrians react to government’s headscarf plan Activists in Austria speak out against draft plan to ban headscarf for students and teachers at schools

September 12, 2018 Askin Kiyagan

(Anadolu) Austrians have reacted to a plan by the education minister to expand the headscarf ban for students and teachers to secondary schools. Education Minister Heinz Fassmann said on Monday that the issue should be discussed throughout the country, especially in the […]

Austria mulls to expand headscarf ban in schools People on public duty should not use religious, ideological symbols on duty, says Austria's education minister

September 10, 2018 Askin Kiyagan

(Anadolu) Expanding the range of headscarf bans for students and teachers in secondary school should be discussed throughout the country, especially in parliament, Austria’s education minister said on Monday. Speaking at Austrian state television ORF on a draft law to ban Muslim […]