Criticizing the Foreign Influence on German Mosques
For decades, German mosques have been a hotbed of controversy due to the predominance of Turkish imams. These preachers, serving as civil servants under Ankara's orders, have been a magnet for criticism due to their limited understanding of German society and their alleged adherence to Turkish directives. The German government, in recognition of these concerns, has entered into negotiations with Turkey to phase out this practice and encourage training for imams within Germany's borders.
End of Turkish Civil Servant Imams
A roadmap has been agreed upon with Turkey that aims to gradually replace the nearly 1,000 Turkish imams currently active in German mosques, primarily affiliated with the DITIB (Turkish-Islamic Union of the Institute for Religion). These imams, who often hold four-year stints in Germany, are expected to adhere to instructions dispatched from Ankara. Their understanding of German societal realities is often incomplete, sparking concerns about the role they play in shaping opinions and practices within the religious community.
According to the German Interior Ministry, the responsibility for these preachers will no longer lie with Turkish consulates general after 2024. Instead, the professional oversight will be transferred to DITIB, a move that could potentially reduce foreign influence.
Training for Homegrown Imams
To counter this foreign influence, the German government has vowed to bolster the training of indigenous imams in the country. This new training initiative, expected to commence soon, will consist of three pillars:
- German language education: To enhance the communication skills of future imams and help them connect better with the local community
- Islamic religious education: To provide a solid understanding of religious teachings
- German history, socio-political issues, and values: To familiarize imams with Germany's cultural fabric and promote an inclusive, tolerant society
"We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Turkey, which marks the end of the deployment of state-employed imams from Turkey," said Nancy Faeser, Germany's Interior Minister, expressing her satisfaction with the progress. She reiterated the government's commitment to empower imams to engage in inter-religious dialogues and to contribute to discussions on faith within German society.
Moving Toward Genuine Integration
This undertaking marks a significant step towards fostering a more integrated, inclusive religious landscape in Germany. By promoting homegrown imams and reducing foreign influence, the German government aims to create a generation of religious leaders who fully understand the nuances of German society, enabling them to foster dialogue and promote understanding amidst religious diversity.
Enrichment Insights
While the provided sources don't explicitly detail the agreement between Germany and Turkey in terms of the gradual replacement of Turkish-trained imams, they reveal several additional themes:
- : The execution of a dual German-Iranian citizen, Jamshid Sharmahd, led to Germany closing three Iranian consulates within its borders, reflecting a strained relationship between the two nations.
- : The conversion of Hagia Sophia, a symbolic site, from a museum to a mosque in Turkey prompted international criticism and debates about religious and historical sensitivity.
- : The German government has faced numerous challenges in combating extremism and terrorism, with the influence of Salafist groups and the banning of certain organizations playing a role in this landscape.
These themes, while not directly related to the agreement on imams, offer a broader perspective on the political and religious climate in Germany and its neighboring countries.
