VIENNA, December 20, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – The number of Austrian Muslims expected to perform hajj this year is 25 percent higher than last year, despite high costs and concerns of poor organization.

"This is because many Austrian hajj organizers have joined together under a main organizing body," Kamal Hashisho of the Nour Campaign told IslamOnline.net Monday, December 19.

"This is an attempt to avoid poor organization after the Saudi hajj ministry turned down a proposal to issue new regulations allowing only tour operators to be in charge of organizing hajj."

Some 2,500 Austrian Muslims have already applied for the spiritual journey, with an increase of 500 from the last year.

The first batch of pilgrims will fly to Makkah on Sunday, December 25.

Austrian Muslim bodies also plan hajj travel for Muslims in neighboring countries like Czech, Slovakia, Norway and Slovenia.

Only 30 people from the four countries have applied for hajj this year.

The average hajj cost this year stands at about 1600 euros per person, with an increase of 100 euros from last year.

"This is mainly because of the high prices of plane tickets," Hashisho said.

He also cited skyrocketing rental and transport costs in Saudi Arabia.

"This is also a very instrumental factor."

To encourage more Austrian Muslims to perform hajj, some Islamic bodies in the European country have proposed a low-cost hajj package.

"The Islamic Center in Vienna offered to organize hajj for only 1375 euros," Fareed Al-Khoutani, the center's director, told IOL.

"Imams, teachers and students were given a higher priority to apply," he added.

Many Austrian Muslims have complained of poor organization during previous hajj experiences.

"When I traveled for hajj two years ago, I was surprised to find that our organizer had no idea about where we were supposed to stay," Egyptian-born Samir Abdullah said.

"We remained stranded in the street for hours until another Austrian hajj organizer offered to join us to his delegation."

Syrian-born Adnan Youssef agreed.

"Many organizers usually break their promises and do not abide by the set program.

"Unfortunately, some hajj organizers are only in for the cash."

Islam, which was officially acknowledged in Austria in 1908, is considered the second religion in the country after Catholic Christianity.

Muslims, estimated at nearly half a million, make up some 6 per cent of the country’s eight-million population.

There are 76 mosques and prayer rooms across the country, including 53 in Vienna alone.

A law issued in 1867, which guaranteed respect for all religions, gave Muslims the right to establish mosques and practice their religion in Austria.