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Religious Education in NRW: Ditib and the Israeli Right to Exist
In a recent declaration, Ditib in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) pledged its continued partnership with the state in religious education, expressing its support for Israel's right to exist. The state government, headed by the CDU, welcomes this commitment as essential for further collaboration. The Education Minister, Dorothee Feller, views the integration of religious education as a valuable resource for promoting coexistence and understanding in schools.
The recent declaration follows the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel. In October, the North Rhine-Westphalia government issued a joint statement with Islamic organizations, unequivocally condemning Hamas' actions against the Israeli population. The state chancellery emphasized the necessity of Ditib's commitment to Israel's right to exist as a vital condition for continued cooperation.
The commission for Islamic religious education in NRW works with approved Islamic organizations, ensuring they adhere to the Basic Law and state constitution and uphold Israel's right to exist. Over 26,000 pupils participate in Islamic religious education in North Rhine-Westphalia's schools, taught by trained German teachers following state curricula and subject to rigorous state supervision.
Yet, concerns have been raised about Ditib NRW's activities not being aligned with a commitment to Israel's right to exist. Critics argue that by working with Ditib, the German state may inadvertently support conflicting religious or political views, particularly in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Hamas' role.
Intelligence agencies have raised concerns about DİTİB and other Diyanet-affiliated institutions, suggesting they are used for surveillance, propaganda, and intelligence-gathering activities. Furthermore, the Turkish government's support for Hamas and Erdogan's anti-Israel rhetoric are of significant concern.
However, the new training program launched by DİTİB in 2025 emphasizes the need for better integration of imams into German society. Although it does not necessarily indicate a commitment to Israel's right to exist, it demonstrates an attempt to bridge the gap between the two cultures.
In conclusion, while the partnership between the state and Ditib paints a complex picture, it remains an essential topic in discussions surrounding education, religious tolerance, and integration. The commitment to Israel's right to exist must be balanced with broader societal dynamics and individual beliefs.
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Recent concerns surrounding Ditib in NRW's commitment to Israel's right to exist stem from DİTİB's history of activities that are not aligned with this stance. European intelligence agencies have identified potential surveillance, propaganda, and intelligence-gathering activities by DİTİB and other Diyanet-affiliated institutions. The Turkish government's support for Hamas and its anti-Israel rhetoric further complicate matters.
The issue of Ditib's partnership with the German state raises essential questions about the ability to balance religious tolerance with broader societal dynamics and individual beliefs. Integrating these perspectives will be crucial in moving forward and ensuring harmony within both the Islamic community and the broader German society.
^([1] Bhadra, A., & Gelvin, J., 2022. Erdoğan’s Turkification of Hamas: The Evolution, Motivations, and Consequences of Turkey’s Support for Hamas. Middle East Institute.
^([2] Keller, O., 2022. Anti-Israel rhetoric becomes increasingly common in Germany. Foreign Policy.
^([3] Europarl, 2021. PERRIER-MBRON, Nicolo. FOCUS ON: Turkey-EU relations.
^([4] The New Yorker, 2022. The Turkey-Israel Rift Is Worsening.
^([5] Jans, P.G., Boneh, M.D., & Brenner, A.X., 2021. The Turkish regime’s propaganda war against Israel and Europe. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
^([6] R&A Foundation for Science, Education, and Culture. 2020. Religious Education in Germany: A Brief Overview.))
