Half of the classes are empty due to Eid al-Fitr!
Austrian schools witnessed a large number of students absent on Monday due to the celebration of Eid al-Fitr (Zuckerfest). This phenomenon has sparked controversy again, especially since it has occurred in previous years, where, for example, some exams were postponed specifically because of the holiday, which caused dissatisfaction among some.
Although the Soziales Österreich der Zukunft (SÖZ) party has called for Ramadan or Eid al-Fitr to be made an official holiday, they are not considered legally recognized religious holidays in Austria.
However, Muslim students, like members of officially recognized religious groups, are allowed to be absent from school to celebrate their holidays, provided they obtain approval from the school administration.
According to the instructions from the Ministry of Education, it is preferred to celebrate religious holidays outside of school hours, but in special cases, a formal request can be made for a religious holiday. The decision is left to the school administration, which must consider the educational interest, especially if the student is experiencing academic difficulties. Absence without permission is not allowed.
Despite the clarity of the instructions, there are no official statistics on the number of applications submitted or approvals granted in Vienna. However, according to data from last year, 35% of students in public primary schools in Vienna are Muslims, while Catholics make up only 21%.