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Answer
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Name
Adam
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Profession
Question
Is it true that the citizenship model for Muslims in Germany differs from the rest of Europe as they called it "Guest Worker" model?
Answer
The citizenship model in Germany does differ from the rest of Europe, but this has nothing to do with the fact, that a person is Muslim or not.
In Germany citizenship is granted if you have a German parent and not automatically if you are born in Germany. In other European countries you become citizen, if you are born in the country. Therefore applicants for German citizenship must pass a long year process of applying for citizenship even when born in Germany, but this applies to any migrant community not only to the Muslims.
Name
Sami
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Profession
Question
Do not you think that there is a real development in the Muslims existence in Germany, for example they started to use German to instruct young Muslims in their Religious Heritage? Do you think that this will make a real difference concerning the recognition of Muslims there?
Answer
I think the Muslim community will benefit from Islamic Education taught in German in Public Schools. As German is the common language of all Muslim pupils regardless the countries of origin of their parents, it is the best way to reach all the Muslim children. On the other side it will increase the recognition of the Muslim community in Germany. If Islamic Religious Education is taught just as the Catholic and Protestant Religious Education is taught in School than it represents a sign of normality and shows that Muslims are an integral part of the German society.
Name
Aisha
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Profession
Question
What is the real difference between France and Germany regarding Hijab issue? If there is any difference!
Answer
In France the headscarf is banned generally for School pupils, whereas in Germany pupils and students are free to wear the hijab in schools, there were also court decisions that a woman can not be fired from her work in a warehouse because of wearing the hijab.
The hotly debated question in Germany is, if a school teacher, i.e. an official representative of the state, should be allowed to wear the hijab or not. One of the arguments for a ban was, that the neutrality of the state might not be upheld by someone wearing a religious symbol and that it would influence young school children.
The German constitutional court has ruled that every Federal state, which in Germany are responsible for educational matters, had to issue a special law, if they wanted to forbid the wearing of the hijab. So far two states have issued such a law and some are thinking of doing so, but it is an ongoing issue.
Name
Suha
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Profession
Question
The different German stance towards the occupation in Iraq can be seen as Arab and Muslim friendly attitude, but other may see it as just conflict of interests between Germany and US .What do you think?
Answer
I would not see the German attitude towards the Iraq question as the result of ongoing conflicts between Germany and the US. The German government was convinced early on that a military intervention was the wrong way in dealing with Iraq. They have stated clearly that they could see many problems arising in the region through a military intervention and that it would also damage the Western credibility in regard of the global war on terrorism. That is why they are now more than reluctant to help the US concerning the occupation of Iraq as they were opposed to the war in the first place. I think Germany feels a responsibility for the area of the Near East and tries to solve problems and therefore it takes also a clear position against America as they disagree on these issues, in regard to other questions Germany and the US are still close allies.
Name
khursheed
- India
Profession
house construction
Question
Aslamualekum,
How free are German Muslims to lead their lives as per Shari'h of Islam?
We practically see some sort of interference in our personal religious matter in India. What about Germany, please elaborate
Answer
First of all, all Muslims in Germany are bound to the German constitution and the German laws. Anyhow, I see no obstacle for a Muslim in Germany to live his life according to Islamic stipulations. Germany grants the freedoms of religion for every person and as far as the acts of worship are concerned I see no obstacle.
Moreover, German local administration is becoming increasingly aware of special needs of the growing Muslim community. For example Muslim burial places are opened and many Federal states are introducing or thinking to introduce Islamic Religious Education in schools. The Muslim community is on the way to obtain more and more rights. Sometimes they have to go to court like in some cases of building a mosque, but the state is very willing to listen to their complaints.
One of the problems for the German government though is that there is not a single Muslim umbrella organisation representing all Muslims in Germany; this would make it easier for the government, if they would have only to talk with one organization. But as Islam in Germany has a very plural structure the Government will have to talk with a variety of groups. So from my viewpoint today I see that Muslims will be granted even more rights over the next years, in an process of dialogue between Muslims and Non-Muslims in Germany
Name
Amr
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Profession
Question
The German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder opposes the wearing of veils in schools and in state bodies, though he added that he could not prevent veiled girls from attending school,why ?
Answer
The German chancellor might have the personal opinion that girls should not wear a veil in school, even if I not recall him actually saying so. Nevertheless, he can not interfere in the constitution which grants the freedom of religion and the free exercise of religion. And so far the wearing of veils in schools by students is and will be undisputed.
Name
Mohammed
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Profession
Question
How can you see the religious freedom in Germany?
Answer
It is complete.
Name
Abbas
- Germany
Profession
Question
Dear Fuess,
How is Islam organized in Germany? Is there a great and "moderate" organisation which represents the majority of the Muslims in Germany? Allow me please a second question. What about "German Islam"? Is it mere a label or are there really attempts a creating a German modeled Islam?
Answer
Islam in Germany is very much organized in terms of Ethnicity and belonging to a certain Muslim denomination. That means there are distinct organizations for Turks, Arabs and so on. The Alawi have their own organizations, Sunni and Shiite form often distinct groups. The largest umbrella organizations are the Islamrat and the Zentralrat der Muslime which both represent only a minority of the total Muslim population.
Besides there is the Ditib organization which has a strong link to the Turkish government.
Regarding your second question: No one is trying to model a German Islam from above. We will witness maybe a development in that direction over the next decades if the ties with the countries of origin of the migrant will loosen and Muslims will use increasingly German as lingua franca. It will be an organic evolution.
Thank you very much
Name
Tariq
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Profession
Question
Do you think that the real problem with the Muslims ,especailly with the Turks, is economic or cultural?
Answer
I think it is a problem of education. Many of the migrants of Turkey were alphabets when they came from Turkey, therefore they could not help their children in educational matters and they had not the tools to communicate with the German society and had then the tendency to isolate themselves. A solution to overcome this deadlock is special education programs for migrants by the German state and the willingness of Muslim parents to help their children, and especially their girls, to get proper education.
Name
Mark
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Profession
Question
Are there any impacts of 9/11 on Muslims in Germany ?
Answer
There is no special impact of 9/11 on Muslims in Germany other than in other European countries. There was a growing suspicion towards Muslims, and young Muslims, especially Arab students were sometimes questioned by the police, but overall the German society staid calm and did not fall into Islamophobia. It could well distinguish between the Terrorists and the normal Muslim German community.
Name
hassan
- Turkey
Profession
Question
How is the relationship between turkish arabic muslims in Germany,do they have common organizations?
Answer
Turkish and Arabic Muslims usually do not mingle a lot, they are organized mostly in different organizations, anyhow there are also some Turks in Arab organizations and vice versa, but usually there is not much interaction.
Name
s'ad
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Profession
Question
As salaamu 'alaykum
From my experiences of living in the west, I find that one of the major problems with the Muslim community in general is their lack of willingness to engage in their local community and change it for the better, for both Muslim and non-Muslim. I feel that in order to succeed as Muslims in these countries, we must be able to make non-Muslims want Muslims to live with them, because of the positive impact they have on their lives. I'd really appreciate your opinion on this issue.
Also, are there any particular challenges facing the Muslims in Germany that are unique to them alone. What do you think can be done about them.
Sorry for the not-so-subtle attempt to disguise two questions into one :)
Jazakullah khair for your answer brother
Answer
I totally agree with your statement. The human factor is important in this issue. Muslims and Non-Muslims should interact with each other more frequently. I would only add that you should also make Muslims want to live with Non-Muslims to foster the amount of mutual tolerance. One particular problem facing migrants in general (not only Muslims) in Germany is that it is much harder to obtain citizenship than in other European countries. This makes it harder to actively engage in the German political process.
