41% of Muslim Youths in Vienna Place Sharia Above Austrian Law
12th May 2026
A new study on religious attitudes among young people in Vienna has triggered fierce political debate in Austria after researchers found that a significant proportion of Muslim youths place religious rules above the country’s laws.
The study, commissioned by the City of Vienna and based on interviews with 1,200 people aged between 14 and 21, found that 41% of Muslim respondents agreed with the statement that the rules of their religion stand above Austrian law. Among Christian respondents, the figure was 21%.
Researchers also found that 46% of Muslim youths surveyed believed people should be prepared to “fight and die” for their faith, compared with 24% of Christians.
In addition, 65% said Islamic rules should apply strictly to all aspects of daily life, while more than half supported Muslim women wearing headscarves in public.