In the 60 years of the last century, workers in Turkey for the European "economic miracle" recruited To Austria and other European countries, came from Turkey and other Muslim countries, millions of Muslims to Europe to work. With Turkey came from the approximately 4.5 million Muslims, a number of whom also returned to their original home. Today in Austria about 480,000 Muslims, with 230,000 Turkish and 3000 with Austrian roots and the rest of the Muslims from many other origins.

Even in the early 70's years Turkish workers to perform their prayers set up small prayer sites. In the 80 years came up to the first regional, then national associations to these communities. To realize certain religious services and conditions it was necessary to have a central association. From this concentration movement was, inter alia, the forerunner of the IFW. Founded as the IFW in 1987.