Berlin: Islam conference wraps up, focus on education
As the annual Islamic conference in Berlin drew to a close, German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said that, while there are still issues that need work, the conference was an overall success.
The German government wrapped up a four-year-long consultation as its German Islamic Conference drew to a close. Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble addressed the final session and called for a "culture of listening."
"It can be an exemplary way for our society to acknowledge and overcome all the differences that confront us," said Schaeuble.
(..)
One of the key achievements of the conference was an acknowledgement by the participants of the importance the German legal system and adhering to the basic law.
Other positive outcomes were plans for the establishment of Islamic religious instruction and the adoptions of recommendations for such practical issues as the operation of mosques and dealing with Islamic funerals in Germany.
Schaeuble acknowledged that the conference had not settled every issue but underscored the changed relationship between the state and Muslims. The German minister said a process of integration had been launched.
Education was a major topic on the agenda. One key development was a decision on women or girls wearing headscarfs at schools.
"Freedom of religion means... that wearing the veil is not forbidden", concluded the German Islamic Conference (DIK). "However, covering the whole face is incompatible with the open communication that education...requires."
Both sides recommended that German schools make concessions on the the controversial issue of mixed sex swimming classes. They also discussed issues like participation in physical education classes, school trips, and fasting during Ramadan. Education ministers will debate the conference's findings in the Fall.
Other recommendations that came from the conference had to do with training imams in Germany, and creating Islamic theological faculties here. The conference also recommended establishing Islamic theology courses at universities and lessons on Islam in schools. Sex education will remain compulsory.
(more)
Source: DW-World (English)
As the annual Islamic conference in Berlin drew to a close, German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said that, while there are still issues that need work, the conference was an overall success.
The German government wrapped up a four-year-long consultation as its German Islamic Conference drew to a close. Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble addressed the final session and called for a "culture of listening."
"It can be an exemplary way for our society to acknowledge and overcome all the differences that confront us," said Schaeuble.
(..)
One of the key achievements of the conference was an acknowledgement by the participants of the importance the German legal system and adhering to the basic law.
Other positive outcomes were plans for the establishment of Islamic religious instruction and the adoptions of recommendations for such practical issues as the operation of mosques and dealing with Islamic funerals in Germany.
Schaeuble acknowledged that the conference had not settled every issue but underscored the changed relationship between the state and Muslims. The German minister said a process of integration had been launched.
Education was a major topic on the agenda. One key development was a decision on women or girls wearing headscarfs at schools.
"Freedom of religion means... that wearing the veil is not forbidden", concluded the German Islamic Conference (DIK). "However, covering the whole face is incompatible with the open communication that education...requires."
Both sides recommended that German schools make concessions on the the controversial issue of mixed sex swimming classes. They also discussed issues like participation in physical education classes, school trips, and fasting during Ramadan. Education ministers will debate the conference's findings in the Fall.
Other recommendations that came from the conference had to do with training imams in Germany, and creating Islamic theological faculties here. The conference also recommended establishing Islamic theology courses at universities and lessons on Islam in schools. Sex education will remain compulsory.
(more)
Source: DW-World (English)
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