Imam Ali (a) Islamic Center in Vienna
Opened in 1992-3 Imam Ali (a) Islamic Center in Vienna is managed by the Shi'a and supports the Muslims of Austria, specifically the Shi'a and the Iranians, in carrying out their religious ceremonies and duties, or educational, cultural, social activities, and create a reasonable atmosphere for Islamic rituals.
Beginning
In 1992-3, a piece of land in Mollardgasse St. was bought by the Islamic Republic of Iran in Vienna and founded the Islamic Cultural Center, which became the first center for Iranians to perform their religious and cultural activities there.
H.I. Mu'izzi held the first management seat of this center as resident-shaykh in October 2000 and the Islamic activities of this center flourished. In June 2001, the center approved its first constitution, changing its name to Imam Ali Islamic Center in Vienna[1].
Goals
Imam Ali Islamic Center in Vienna performs religious ceremonies and cultural activities, along with propagation and dissemination of Islamic theology, and is one of the active religious centers of Austria[2].
- Aiding Muslims of Austria, with their religious, educational, cultural, and social duties
- Providing reasonable conditions for Islamic ceremonies and rituals
- Propagation and dissemination of Islamic teachings. Teaching deep meanings and spreading the culture of Islam in order to preserve and empower the Islamic identity
- Unity among Muslims of Austria with respect to their variety of background cultures.
- Empowering the spirit of contribution to Islamic, cultural, and social Islamic activities among Muslims
- Effort to acquaint non-Muslims with Islam
Activities
The activities of this center can be categorized in several groups which serve to help the institute reach its end-goals.[3]
Programs and Religious Education
- Community prayers, specifically Friday prayers
- Education and recitation of Qur'an
- Orison and Invocation programs
- Lectures for various occasions
- Religious Eid ceremonies
- Mourning ceremonies, such as Muharram
- Addressing religious questions and rulings
- Regulation of marriage and divorce matters
- Regulation of death affairs
Cultural Teachings and Programs
- Academic, cultural, religious meetings in English, Arabic, German etc.
- Publication of books and booklets in Persian, Arabic, and German
- Persian and German weekly magazine
- Calculation of prayer times
- Displaying Cinema movies
- Library with over ten thousand reference books in stock
Sports Programs and Educations
- Persian language and religious education for children
- German as a second language for adults
- I.T. education
- Sewing, flower-making, and pastry cooking classes for women
- Taekwondo and Bodybuilding
Social Programs and Services
- General consultation and mentoring
- Consultation and mentoring for the family
- Medical consultation
- Socio-cultural activities for the youth
- Specialized consultation in regards to law, students, employment etc.
- Marriage ceremonies
- Death and mourning ceremonies
- Friendly discussion sessions specifically for women and the youth
Facilities
The Islamic Center of Vienna is a 1400 square-meter building and consists of four floors, with the facilities below:
- Prayer and Religious Gathering room
- Conference and Multimedia amphitheater
- Computer and handworks room
- Library (stock and study room)
- Gym
In addition, the Islamic Republic of Iran School is stationed in this building.
Notes
References
- Official Website of Imam Ali (a) Islamic Center in Vienna