The session has just started. You are invited to join us with your questions.
After the session, you could view the whole dialogue in the recent sessions.
Yours,
Islamonline Live Dialogue Editing Desk
Answer
-
Name
Arlan
- Sweden
Profession
Question
Salam to all,
Who do you think Muslims should vote for and why? Has any party mentioned good plans for Muslims in Germany?
Thank you
Answer
Salamu alaikum,
The Central Council of Muslims didn't make any recommendations who to vote for. We called the Muslims in Germany to use the right to vote and to vote for the party, which serves the interests of Muslims best.
Before the elections we have sent questionnaires to the parties where the main topics which concerns Muslims were included. Hereby every Muslims was able to recognize, that e.g. the Christians Democratic Union was against the participation of Turkey in the EU and putting many obstacles aganist Muslims.
Name
Kamal
-
Profession
Question
Do you expect hijab-ban in Germany?
Answer
The German law protects the religious practicing. In schools, wearing of hijab is allowed for girls while they do not allow the teachers to wear it.
We supported Muslim teachers to use the legal solutions by going to the court.
We won this case at the highest German court. The parliaments of the "Laender" changed their laws and forbid any Islamic "symbols" and allowed the Christian and Jewish ones. Hereby we see discrimination will continue to initiate legal action.
We believe that hijab is an Islamic duty. If a woman wants to wear it without any political reasons or manipulating of the pupils, than she has the legal right to wear hijab.
Most Muslim teachers are open-minded and have no extreme attitude.
Name
Hani
-
Profession
Question
How can you see the future of Muslims after the elections?
Answer
The elections did not bring up any satisfying outcomes, for anybody including the Muslims.
We believe that the Christian parties (CDU / CSU) in coalations with the Liberals (FDP) or with others will not serve the interests of Muslims that much.
A coalition of the bigger parties will hardly help Muslims. Instead, a coalition where small parties are involved, always served for corrections of the negative actions of the bigger parties.
Therefore many Muslims voted either for the Social Democratic Party (SPD) or the smaller parties like (green party or FDP).
We are happy that this election brought no success for radical parties, either from the left or right.
But we will continue in strengthening our previous good relations to the parties
Name
imran
- Pakistan
Profession
univesity lecturer
Question
Assalam o Alaikum! Do Muslims compete as candidates in German elections? If so, what has been the level of Muslim representation in German legislative bodies?
Answer
In the old parliament as well as in the new one, Muslims have been candidates in all parties.
Amongst those candidates we can hardly find members of the Islamic community, however, they don't speak against Muslims in the public.
Also in the parliaments of the "Laender" there are Muslim members. Muslims in Germany have few experiences in the active political life.
We hope that the younger generations will participate more in political life. We called them to become active members in the democratic parties.
Muslims should show their loyalty to this country by practicing their political rights.
Name
Soliman
-
Profession
Question
I notice the differences between the models of integration in Europe. Germany adopts the "Guest Worker" model; do you think that this has been changed? Do you expect that the Muslims will participate politically?
Answer
Germany does not have the view "Guest Worker" model anymore.
In the last years, every party acknowledged, that Germany is immigration country. All parties took the immigration (hereby we speak mainly about Muslims) into their political programs.
In our opinion, the task of integration is not acknowledged as a central problem of the society. Very often it is discussed under the subject of inner security and very often people believe to solve the problems of integration by making immigration more difficult.
Until now, the programs of the parties only tackle this problem by providing language courses.
We appealed to the governments, that they should give the integration problems top priority and should develop a comprehensive concept.
This concept has to include rights and duties of migrants and the society in relation to the laws, political life, family and youth, as well as school and education.
We will provide concrete suggestions and will realize what can be done from our side in our mosques.
Name
Sekkou KERTIT
- Morocco
Profession
Professor
Question
Dear Dr.Nadim;
Please send me information about the stance of theGerman political associations towards the Muslim council.
sincerly yours
Answer
Our office will send you the materials that you need inshallah
Name
Rush
-
Profession
Question
How was the Muslim participation in the last general elections?
Answer
We assume that it was less than in the previous election. Many Turkish people didn't vote in order to protest or voted for another party than the Christian Democrats (CDU), who was against the participation of Turkey in the EU.
Like many Non-Muslims many where disappointed because none of these parties will be able to solve the economic problems.
But especially in this unsecured situation, we as Muslims have to do our duty, by voting, in order to bring the best for this society.
Name
suha
-
Profession
Question
Do not you think that Muslims should start by intra-dialogue first? I mean among themselves, in Germany, I think the main case is the Turkish and the other Muslim communities that need to be more cooperative with each other.
Answer
We need the dialogue on both levels, "intra" as well as with the society. The development in German society forces us to make dialogue parallelly with the inner dialogue.
Our experience indicates that the success on any level positively influences the dialogue on the other level.
There was a long time in Germany where the different organizations saw themselves as competitors or opponents or ignored each other. Muslims recognized in the 80`s that the dialogue with the society calls for umbrella organizations. By this way the Islamic Central Council was built in 1986 (with the interim name Islamic Workshop).
This development conveyed not everybody, so other organizations stayed outside the Central Council; however it is mulit-national and it brought togehter Sunnis and Shias.
Since February 2005 we work together with almost every organization to build up a union. We believe that 70% of all organized Muslims will participate. The statutes are ready. In February 2006 we plan to constitute this Muslim union inshallah
Name
Kurt
- Germany
Profession
Question
Angela Merkel does not seem want to work with Muslims. There is no sugar coating the fact the Christian Party will introduce measures that I feel will hurt the Muslim community in Germany. In Europe there has been a trend against Muslims.
It's a fact since 9/11 many Christian groups have used the tragedy as a tool to demonize Islam. To ignore this reality would be irresponsible.
However, the majority of Europeans seem uninterested in hearing Muslim pleas at this time due to various terrorist acts.
Question, what do you feel German Muslims MUST do in order to keep this Christian Government Party under control as not to abuse their power?
Answer
We can favor one party and dismiss the other. Especially that the Christian Democratic Party (CDU) has an enormous influence in this society, therefore we have to try to attract their attention to our concerns.
This can be also done through Muslim members of the CDU. We have to strengthen our lobby. Furthermore we hear from our Home Secretary, Schilly (SPD) that nothing will be done more than we have heard from Mr Beckstein Christian Social Party (CSU). In this difficult situation, the general atmosphere is not friendly towards Islam.
This is a chance to show our loyalty towards this state.
We hope Muslims will show their political maturation and participate politically.
Name
Chelh
- Canada
Profession
Question
Salam,
How strong is the influence of the Jewish lobby in German politics and its elections? How likely is it that banning hijab taking place in public schools in Germany?
Thank you
Answer
In this society everyone becomes what he/she deserves. If the Jewish community economically, politically and intellectually is strong, they have more influence.
This option is also open to Muslims. Our weakness and small influence can not be blandished through the strength of others.
By the way, we have many friends in the Jewish community and receive a lot appreciation , we have common interests. In the pluralistic society one can not expect anything else.
A hijab ban for girls in schools is against the German Constitution can not get through because the school education is in the hand of the state and can not exclude anybody from going to school. Also regarding to Muslim teachers, we hope that the new laws will be annulled.
Name
Hassan
-
Profession
Question
Nazism started in Germany and influenced other European countries...Yesterday the biggest mosque in Malmo was burnt. Do the Germany politicians have any plans to correct what their history caused? Any message to Muslims in Sweden Shoukrane
Answer
The new German state is a free democratic state, which does everything possible to reduce Nazism and all extreme movements.
The new nationalist parties find no support in the society or from other parties.
However, neonazi-attacks grew last year by 10% up to 1800 felonies. But these are still felonies of a very small minority.
That does not mean there is no danger. Therefore Muslims and Non-Muslims have to act together against it.
Muslim should not be satisfied that Extremists may show solidarity, e.g. in the Palestinian conflict, we as Muslims are against any racism. Racism means crime against humanity.
This applies also for Muslims in Sweden. They should strengthen their relationship with their society and win friends from every part of the society by showing solidarity in solving the societies' problems.
Name
Marco
-
Profession
Question
Germany's election results prove inconclusive. Germany's next government likely will be weakened as a result of the narrow vote margin and difficulties of forming a coalition. However, with Angela Merkel taking the majority of the votes, do you feel they will interpret this as some sort of victory for Christianity? I would like to know if this party was determined because of the events of 9/11 and if so, is there fear among Muslims in Germany that this party will try to limit their roles or rights in society?
Answer
If Muslims regard the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) or the Christian Social Union (CSU) as representative for Christianity, they are mistaken.
It is the same mistake if people vote for the CDU in order to fight the "Islamic Danger". This is because Muslims in Germany have nothing to do with 9/11 and terrorism. The fight against terrorism does not work by alienating established Muslim organizations. It can only be fought, when the whole humanity comes together against it.
In the policy of the CDU we miss this comprehension and we hope that from their position they will make a more moderate policy which is necessary for inner security.
Name
Biba
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
Profession
Nurse
Question
Salam 'alaikoum brothers and sisters,
I would like to know if Bosnians Muslims are active in Germany I mean politically. Thank you.
Answer
The VIGB (Association of Bosnian Communities) is a member of the Islamic Central Council in Germany including about 60 mosques in Germany.
In the Islamic activities they are very encouraged. In the public life, we hope more participation from their side as we hope for every other ethnic group.
Name
mehdi
-
Profession
student
Question
How do you see the future of Islam in Germany, especially with the last terrorist events in Europe?
Answer
Indeed, we are in a world crisis which is also recognizable in Germany.
I personally strongly believe that if Muslims in Germany and in Europe will overcome this crisis, they will come out stronger: Europe will acknowledge that their enemy is not Islam and Muslims but those criminals, who are the enemy of all humanity. This enemy can only be fought if the European societies integrate the Muslim people, respect them and win them as friends.
On the other hand, some Muslims - who are mislead by wrong interpretations of Islamic sources - will recognize, that abolishment of injustice towards Muslims all over the world, can not be expected through such criminal acts. This will lead to that these criminals will be excluded from the Muslim community.
Name
Phil
- Canada
Profession
student
Question
As salam 3aleikoum wa rahmatuLlah,
It seems that the main argument in the elections concerning the Turkish membership in the EU.
As you said, we need national, but also European, Muslim unions to keep the bridges up between each other. My question is: how are the Turkish-Kurdish relations in Germany?
Answer
There are no conflicts between both ethnic groups on German ground. Maybe some extremist Kurdish people do demonstrate against Turkey, but less than they do against Turkish people in Germany.
Name
Moh
-
Profession
Question
Couldn't some parties given up their vote to make the Christian democrats lose.....
Answer
If we understand the current situation correctly, then Muslims have to be more politically active. It is not a wise stance to weaken others, it's better to strengthen their own interests.
Name
hemmy
- Tanzania
Profession
dr
Question
why Muslims around the world are so coward to tell the western government that our fellow Muslims are being executed daily in Afghanistan and Iraq, if prophet MOHD (PBOH) is now alive how can he command the Muslim all over the world and control will western power crushing Muslim umma for creating what now called DEMOCRACY
Answer
We have to point on this injustice all over the world, without making "The Western", "The Christianity", "The Others" the only responsible for that , this means that we have to condemn the crimes of Muslims as well as the crimes of the others.
