Press Release

ISLAMIC CEMETERY OPENS IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA
OFID Director-General at dedication ceremony

29/2008 October 6, Vienna, Austria
Press inquiries:

The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), October 3, joined the Mayor of Vienna, Dr. Michael Häupl, several leading institutions, representatives of governments and individuals to mark the opening of an Islamic Cemetery in Vienna, Austria. It was a solemn occasion attended by Vienna ’s Mayor, distinguished ambassadors, religious leaders and other dignitaries, many of whom congratulated and thanked the Government of the Republic of Austria as well as the Municipal Government of Vienna for an effort highly appreciated.

In a statement, the Director-General of OFID, Mr. Suleiman J. Al-Herbish, remarked that the opening of the cemetery put in bold relief the noble interest of the Austrian Government in fulfilling a vital need of its Islamic community and honoring its religious practices. Mr. Al-Herbish thanked the Mayor of the City of Vienna, Dr. Michael Häupl , who was present, for his own contributions to “making the dream of many Muslims come true.” He also thanked the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as the State of Qatar. Furthermore, Mr. Al-Herbish expressed his appreciation to the President of the Islamic Community in Austria, Mr. Anas Schakfeh, for attending the special occasion. Other dignitaries that attended include the representative of Saudi Arabian embassy, Vienna, Mr. Faisal Al-Mandil; the representative of Qatar, Mr. Ali Khalfan Al-Mansouri; as well as Dr. Ralph Scheide, Ambassador/Deputy Director-General for Public Affairs, Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Director-General remarked that the Republic of Austria has been known for its support and protection of minorities, which, he said, goes back to 1887, when the first mosque was built in Vienna. Officially, Islam was recognized 1919 by the signing of the Saint-Germain agreement, in which the Austrian government pledged protection for minorities and affirmed the right of each citizen to assume important national posts regardless of his/her religious or ethnic backgrounds.

The Islamic Cemetery was a joint undertaking by the Federal Government of Austria, the City of Vienna, OFID and other donors. The City of Vienna provided a piece of land valued at US$3.4 million. The total land area is 33,000 spm. OFID contributed, in 2003, some €200,000 in grant financing towards the construction of the cemetery’s prayer room. The cemetery is located in Vienna’s 23 rd district.

With the new facility, the environs will provide a suitable area for holding necessary prayers and burial rites for deceased Muslims. The cemetery will facilitate the fulfillment of the Islamic principles in burial ceremonies. Funeral rituals and practices have been prescribed by divine law in accordance with the dictates of Islam. Allah says in the Qur’an: “We have honored sons of Adam,” (Al-Israa’ 17: 70)