- Anti-discrimination law lacks moral authority in broader public: The prejudice that anti-discrimination law means giving a bonus to minorities and cutting on the majority has to be countered. Especially in times of social instability, as today intensified by the global economic crisis, anti-discrimination laws are not very popular. Those who would like to refer on them often hesitate – They know that undertaking legal measures may include getting under moral pressure. As in the case of women wearing headscarf being denied a job. Claiming their right may bring them in a situation where public opinion is still against them. All these points shouldn‟t be seen as a reason to become desperate – but quite in the contrary show the declarations visionary potential! Now it is high time to go ahead! Parallel to each of the mentioned five points there can be found an inspiration for future action. - It has been visionary to include „religion“ in the declaration – antidiscrimination law should follow this line: The EU Anti Discrimination Guidelines differentiate between the working place and other areas. The Racial Equality Directive 2000/43/EC names „racial or ethnic origin“, but there is no protection when it comes to religion. So many cases can only be dealt with if labelled under „ethnic“ discrimination – which backs up the cliché that Muslims are „foreigners“. - In times of globalisation 19th century concepts of nationalism are completely out of place – people’s plural identities will open new horizons: The EU strives to create a new kind of European identity that naturally needs to open up for plural identities. Minority groups can be very inspiring in this process as they often have cultivated plural identities. Being Muslim and European, speaking Arabic or Turkish and a national language both fluently – not at all considers a contradiction! - The status of religious minority groups should be reflected in national law: Austria might be some kind of a role-model. In this year 2012 we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the legal recognition of Islam. Already in 1912 Islam was officially acknowledged – which has to do with Bosnia-Herzegovina belonging to the Habsburgian Empire at that time. Muslims were given the right to practice their religion in public and inner autonomy was guaranteed when it comes to religious interpretation – by the way an excellent way to establish a positive feeling of belonging to a country and loyalty towards the rule of state. - Freedom of religion is a cornerstone in the Human Rights concept – and has to be respected as such: The right to believe – or not to believe – cannot be separated from the freedom of expression. - Anti-discrimination law should be regarded as a Human Rights issue – where everybody is concerned – a powerful instrument to foster social cohesion: Antidiscrimination measurements are not to be mistaken as allowing minorities to live exclusively „on their own“– like a rare protected item put into a museum. It‟s about opening equal access and equal chances – which is beneficial to everybody in society as it strengthens the common potential. Participation of minorities is needed to create social cohesion. Social justice and a jointly felt commitment to solidarity is a matter everybody in society should engage with. Participation of minorities should be regarded as a key to inclusion, as taking up responsibility for the common well being. Minorities themselves should recognize their visible participation in society as a way to create new narratives – overcoming old and negative stereotypes. – And an effective way to prove that an anti-discriminatory approach pays society back more than it gives. This mutual process of getting together has to happen if society wants to proceed. So what is needed is more enthusiasm in integrating minority issues in „daily politics“. As long as opinion leaders are too hesitant to raise these topics – occasionally they do, secured in isolated occasions with an audience where they can „preach to the converted“ – minority issues will stay….For a minority. Vienna, 24th of November 2012 Carla Amina Baghajati, Official Islamic Religious Authority of Austria