Germany takes it from Erdogan's hosts: Starts financing them

Germany has decided to fund for itself the schooling of imams working in this country, due to the enormous influence of other countries, primarily Turkey. The project begins soon.

The government in Berlin has long thought about what to do when it comes to external influence in the education of imams who work in Germany. The result of these thoughts is the founding of the Association on issue of imam schooling by Germany's Ministry of Internal Affairs, which should begin work on November 21st. Although there are Muslim organizations in Germany that teach imams themselves for their needs, most imams in this country are connected to the organisation DITIB. So this organization has a huge impact on imams. Of the some 4.5 Muslims living in Germany, about 3 million are of Turkish origin.

Financing

That very strong influence has prompted German authorities to take such a bold step, ecologist Filiz Polat's representative, says Deutsche Welle, adding that her party, the Greens, has long sought this measure.

DITIB is the largest Muslim organisation in Germany, linked to about 900 mosques. The images of this organization are educated and financed in Turkey, and from there they are sent to Germany for service. The obstacles to the knowledge of language, cultural differences and musicality towards the Turkish government have caused the German government to deal so intensely with the issue. One of the biggest obstacles has been providing financial means. Now the government has decided to finance this education itself. MP Filiz Polat tells DW that the Interior Ministry has confirmed the readiness for financing.

Neutrality

One of the organisations that will deal with imam schooling will be the Central Council of Muslims in Germany (ZMD), says the chairman of this organisation Aiman Mazyek. “We can't always complain because of imams from outside”, he tells DW. The establishment of this organization is a positive step, which “was supposed to take place many decades ago”, Mazyek thinks.

The German Constitution predicts that the state will not be involved in the issues of religious communities. But the deputy ecologist Polat says, the neutrality of the state is secured with the formation of an independent organisation. The headquarters of this organization will be in Downfire. “And Seminari for the works of rabbis in Potsdam is financed with state money, and this strategy has yielded the right results”, claims the executive of the ecologist Party. This is thought of in support of the state of Abraham Geiger College. Polat thinks this is consistent with the Constitution.

Opening doors

Islamic theology is currently taught only in high schools in Münster, Tübingen, Osnabrück, Giessen and Erlangen-Nüremberg. Lost University in Berlin opened the Islamic Theological Institute in October of this year. But the students of theology cannot work as an imma in Germany. Such institutions do not teach reading, prayer, and practical pursuits. If a student becomes an imam, he should then have a special practical preparation.

This problem is expected to be solved on newer plans. Islamic religious experts say theology will be part of this preparation. While authorities also predict measures to function the proper model and schooling of imams in Germany. Professor Rauf Ceylan of the University of Osnabrück sees this as a good step for “opening doors”. But he warns that this is only the beginning and that it should not be waited too long. The important thing is to start, while in time this project will be accepted”, states Professor Rauf Ceylan. / DW