How many muslims live in the former East Germany, and what is their percentage compared to overall German muslim population? Were they living there before the fall of the Berlin Wall or after.
Secondly, as Germany was not a colonialist nation before WWII, how are the relations between German muslims with the society in general, when compared to colonialist nations like United Kingdom and France.
Lastly, does the German muslims contribute to the society in all major fields (like education, media, health, etc.) or their contribution confined to only one field - commerce?
Jazakallah.
Answer
Wa-alaikum Salaam!
In the former East Germany, there are about 100,000 Muslims. However, there is no proper statistic. Before the fall of the wall, there were very few students, embassy officials, and some governmental individuals, especially associated with the Universities. Now, there are some who live for business or commercial reasons and also refugees.
The entire Muslim population in Germany is about 3 million.
I can just compare the German situation to the UK because I do not know the French situation very well. The main problem is that, because of the German history, there is a very weak identification with the German nation. Also, many of the Muslims do not have German passports because of the non-existent colonial background. There is a developing identification with the society, but it is not good. In the UK, the Muslims are active in nearly every field. I think that German Muslims are 15-20 years behind in our development of a German-Muslim identity and also in our activities. Islam is also not officially recognized in Germany and it is seen as a foreign religion because of guest-worker status. Also, the guest-workers themselves believed that they would return. Now the situation is changing, also the government is in a dialogue with Muslims. There was an official Islam conference that started last year.
In response to part three, the answer is `not enough? for the reasons that we discussed above. Currently, we are in the starting phase.
Name
abdullah
- Colombia
Profession
student of political science
Question
Askum wa rhtullahi w bktu brother:
How realistic is it in your judgment that there is a faction within the community of Muslims who are keen "terrorists" as some governments in the West might call them (say Britain). People who would even deem ok the killing of civilianz women and children in Europe. Off course within the community of Muslims in Europe particularly in Germany.
Peace and thanks
Answer
Wa-alaikum Salaam!
There are very few such individuals who are active in Germany, as said by the authorities. The media coverage is disproportionate. Some were caught by the authorities a few months ago.
I can see that there are very few people who sympathize with these individuals. They do this because of their socio-economic status in Germany, the current world political situation, and bad experiences (discrimination) as Muslims in Germany.
Many of the organizations and mosques in Germany are now working on this problem. And working on the integration of Muslims into society.
Name
amal
-
Profession
doctor
Question
Salam,
lately, muslim are living a kind of flourishing, do you think that the German society will stand against practising Mulim manifestations?
Answer
Many Muslims in Germany have improved their economic and social status.
In the bigger cities, there is very little discrimination. Muslims are practicing their religion and it is accepted, more or less. But, in the Hijab case or the case of mosque-building, the public has fear because of the situation in the world. The public does not have proper information about Muslims. Muslims also were not so active in informing their neighbors in the past. Also, there used to be a language barrier. This is changing with the second and third generation. Also, INSSAN is trying to work on this information gap between Muslims and non-Muslims.
Name
Ellie Kani
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Salam Alycom brother,
would you please tell us more about Insan organization and the chalanges it face.
Jazak Allahu
Answer
Wa-alaikum Salaam!
INSSAN was founded in 2002 by second-generation Muslims with the idea of creating a new German-speaking organization who could communicate with the general population and quell the fears about Muslims in Germany.
We cooperate with all the Muslim organizations in Berlin. We were not created in concurrence to the other ethnically-organized groups, but in addition to them.
We are also working with the authorities on integration issues and had several dialogues, information activities, and practical activities. For example, we hosted a blood drive. At the end of Ramadam, we distributed 5,000 cakes and greeting cards to our non-Muslim neighbors and friends through 15 mosques in Berlin. Also, we are now working to build a mosque in Charlottenburg-Berlin, which is a central area in the Western part of Berlin.
The political parties are supporting this mosque in that they say we have religious freedom in Germany. Although there are some right-wing organizations who are causing trouble with this project. They are distributing mis-information within the population of this area. But, other than that, things are quite good. Inshahallah, in 2 months, we will have the permission to build the mosque.
Name
Jihad
-
Profession
Question
few monthes ago, a great mosque was bulit in Koln, how would thats enhance Muslims' situation in Germany, as a minority?
and would that may support them when they collied with the secular Germany?
Answer
Assalaamualaikum,
There is a debate about building the mosque in Cologne. The organization there has the permission to build it, however, there are some right-wing organizations who are causing problems. Now there are also some debates among the liberals, as well.
Every sign that we can give to the German society that we are at home in Germany is positive. It is good that the organization in Cologne is also in dialogue with other religious groups in society. It is very important to engage with non-Muslims in Germany to build up trust and work together.
We as Muslims in Germany are recognizing and identifying with our Constitution because this constitution gives us religious freedom. And freedom to live as we want to live. even though we have some political problems, we are well on our way to solving them.
Our situation is similar to the situation of Muslims in India, in that we are a religious minority in a secular state. The German Constitution and the political system is good for the society in which we are living, because it is balanced in the interests of all its inhabitants. But the integration of Muslims has to be enforced by Muslims.
Name
Mohammed Amin
- Denmark
Profession
Question
i heard that the forced marriage is spreading largly in Germany, is that right?
How would an organization like insssan stand against such a phenommena
Answer
This problem is not getting stronger but is just more widely discussed. This is not a Muslim issue, but rather one of culture. Also, non-Muslim immigrants have this problem. This is because of the cultural fracture between immigrants and society here in Germany.
This is often mentioned in the media because of the murder two years ago in Berlin. This case happened in a Muslim family and this is what brought attention to Muslims. After this horrible event, many Imams spoke out in their Friday sermons against this practice of forced marriage, and confirmed its non-Muslim origins.
At Inssan, we organized a post card activity, which stated the Islamic position according to the Quran and Hadith, against forced marriage. Several postcards were distributed all over Berlin. Also, organizations from other cities in Germany and even Switzerland ordered these postcards.
In conjunction with this project, we organized a contest called "Islamour" in which couples from all over Germany submitted stories about their marriage story to give a positive example of the Islamic concept of marriage and love.
Name
Abdurahman
- Germany
Profession
Question
Salamun Alycom,
Do you think that one of the problems Muslims in Germany face is their attitude towards teh concept of integeration and the fact that they are living in gettos and misrepresented in the political life? please relate...
W Salam
Answer
Wa-alaikum Salaam,
The integration problem is a social problem that Muslims face because of their migration history. You are right that Muslims are largely segregated. This is a multi-faceted problem that is rooted in cultural comfort, but also in the fact that these migrants were very poor and only able to purchase or rent property in certain areas. Instead of moving out of these areas as their socio-economic capacity increased, Muslims stayed and improved the areas. Many Muslims were discriminated against in the housing market, as well. However, in recent times, this is changing.
In addition, many Muslims did not recognize that they had to integrate. The best example of this is in language. But now, this is changing a lot. There are language classes in the mosques and Muslim leadership is encouraging Muslims to learn and excel at German. It is now clear that learning German is a necessary component of living in Germany and being integrated.
If Muslims do not have a German passport, then they are misrepresented in political life because they are not an active part of the political system in terms of voting, etc. This is changing very slowly.
Name
Rasha
-
Profession
Question
Can you give us more views about the role of mosques and imams in Germany?
Answer
In Germany, mosques are more Islamic cultural centers even though they are very small. Wedding ceremonies, Aqiqahs, language classes and Eid celebrations all take place at these centers. Mosques are also instrumental to contact and exchange between Muslims and the larger society.
Imams are playing an integral role in this process. The major problem we are facing is that most of the Imams cannot speak German. Most of them are also not familiar with German culture, as they did not grow up here. It is difficult from them to judge situations and have trouble expressing themselves. Even so, the Imams are doing a good job in the religious aspects of their job. Still, they have to learn German and more about German society.
Name
Iman
-
Profession
Question
since Tatcher bacame the Chancellor, are there any progress towards the German Muslims treatment?
and do you think that language in germany is an obstacle in the integration isuue, as turkish are againest co-exsistance?
Answer
Assalaamwaalaikum,
Merkel is the chancellor of Germany. Since she became chancellor, things have improved. The government recognized that Islam is a reality and part of Germany. This is why they started the Islam Conference to enforce integration. This is the first time that a German government is in direct dialogue with Muslims in an organized way.
Language is a problem, but not Turkish-specific.
Name
Emad
- France
Profession
Question
did Insan Organization share in the political dialogues and general dialogues which are held among muslims, christians and jews as well?
did Germany encourages the religious dialoges? and what did it conclude with?
Answer
INSSAN does host dialogues about religious and social issues. We also cooperate with many organizations, regardless of religious affiliation.
The dialogues in which we participate are German-based and do not focus on international issues.
The more we speak, the more we know about each other and the more we trust. We are getting a lot of support for our mosque project because of our participation in dialogues because people know us and understand that we are not dangerous. Even though we are a different religion and we may have other opinions on issues, people recognize our willingness to communicate. They trust us as positive and contributing members of society.
Germany is also encouraging dialogue at every level of authorities.
Name
Gasser
- Egypt
Profession
Question
dose Angela Merekel show interest with the religious rights, and how would that effect Muslims, and what the main taken-steps in her encourage to the Muslim Rights?
Answer
Merkel is not directly involved in the dialogue, but the home minister Schäuble, is involved in the Islam conference.
This government stated that Islam and Muslims are a part of Germany and this is very important. However, there are very few concrete steps taken, because they just began the dialogue. In Germany we have a very liberal anti-discrimination law, but it does not specifically apply to Muslims. Muslims can use this legislation if they are discriminated against, for example in the housing market or employment. The State government in Berlin is now establishing an anti-discrimination network in Berlin mosques to help, especially the women who are discriminated against because of their hijab. Even though, in Berlin, the law forbids women to teach in public schools while wearing their hijab. But, this also applied to nuns and other religious attire, so it is quite fair even though it is not good.
The contact to the authorities is getting much better. There is an Islam Forum in Berlin, but also on the national level in which the Muslim organizations come together with authorities, responsible persons, and other religious groups. They discuss problems and needs, and the group contact leads to solutions for society.
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Question
Dear IOL'S visitors,
Answer
This session has come to an end.
We would like to thank Mr. Mohammed Imran Sagir for speaking to IslamOnline.net viewers today, and we also thank all those who participated in this dialogue.
We apologize for not being able to accommodate any further questions. We request our readers to join us in the upcoming sessions.
