Islamic religious instruction in German
All topics-
How German textbooks present Islam and immigration
"Diversity is part of everyday life"
In conversation with Arnd Zickgraf, Viola B. Georgi from the University of Hildesheim explains why German textbooks are behind the times in their treatment of Islam and immigration
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Islam and the West
What Islamisation?
The state promotes Islam in public life – and for good reason. This has nothing to do with Islamisation but with the liberties enshrined in the constitutions of the Western democracies, writes Christine Langenfeld, chair of the Expert Council of German Foundations on Integration and Migration
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The rights of Muslims in Germany
Protected by the German constitution
The situation in Germany is different to that in Austria: Germany lacks the conditions to pass a Law on Islam. Nevertheless, as Daniel Deckers points out, the German constitution, known as the Basic Law, provides a framework for all religions and already offers Muslims many freedoms – more than they have in countries where Islam shapes the legal system
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Raising awareness about Salafism in German schools
Symbolic acts alone are not enough
What is the appropriate way to inform young Muslims in schools about the dangers of Salafism? In co-operation with the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, the association ufuq.de provides teaching materials on Islam, Islamophobia, Islamism and democracy. Gotz Nordbruch provides a personal account of preventive work in this field
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Interview with Harry Harun Behr
"I don't know how Mohammed can be offended"
The Muslim religious educator Harry Harun Behr promotes openness in theology. Stefan Toepfer spoke to him about violence, teaching Islam, the fight against radicalisation and the "Charlie Hebdo" caricatures
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The Congress "Horizons of Islamic Theology"
A disintegration of Islam?
Academics from all over the world met to debate Islam at the congress "Horizons of Islamic Theology" in Frankfurt in early September. But the event was overshadowed by the acts of terror being perpetrated in the name of the faith by Islamic State and other extremist organisations. By Claudia Mende
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Debate on European Islam
A Mined Terrain
The concept of European Islam has proved to be a constant source of controversy. For some it embodies the deliverance of Islam from everything that is perceived as backward looking and pre-modern. Others fear that a European Islam is a watered-down religion, a kind of government-controlled "state Islam", prepared to fully accommodate to the wishes of the authorities. By Claudia Mende
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Two New Books on the Gülen Movement
Happy Altruists Everywhere
The American sociologist of religion Helen Rose Ebaugh and the German journalist Jochen Thies wanted to take a closer look at the Gülen movement and the educational activities of its adherents. Both books, however, lack the necessary critical distance says Jan Kuhlmann
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Islamic Religion Classes in German schools
Who Decides?
After years of discussion and debate, the first German states are now introducing Islamic religion classes in public schools. However, because there are many different branches of Islam and no central authority to offer guidance, the question as to who should be allowed to decide on teachers and lesson content is leading to serious conflict. By Claudia Mende
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Interview with Naika Foroutan
''Young Muslims wish to play their part in shaping Germany''
A new study is shedding light on the worlds in which young Muslims in Germany live. Britta Mersch talked to Naika Foroutan from the Institute of Social Sciences at Berlin's Humboldt University about its findings
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Interview with Integration Minister Bilkay Öney
"Integration is a matter of wanting to, being able and being allowed to"
In May, Bilkay Öney will have been in office as integration minister in the German state of Baden-Württemberg for one year. The Turkish-born politician says she is privileged and told Klaudia Prevezanos about her work
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Muslims in Germany
''Integration in Germany Is Making Progress''
You wouldn't expect it in light of the resurgent German debate about the willingness of young Muslims to integrate into mainstream society, but integration in Germany is actually faring better than expected. An analysis by Jonathan Laurence