Senate addresses criticism heavily faced
Unfiltered, Uncensored Take:
Bremen Schools Under Fire for Visiting Islamic Group
Some Bremen elementary schools have reportedly taken students on visits to a controversial group, Atib, a Turkish-Islamic cultural association. The CDU is calling for answers, and the Senate has finally responded.
Atib, with its Union of Turkish-Islamic Cultural Associations in Europe, is known to the authorities as a quasi-racist and Islamist organization. According to the Federal Center for Political Education, it originated from the likes of the extremist "Gray Wolves" splinter group.
However, there are many democratically run Muslim communities in Bremen that would make ideal visits for educational purposes without any issues.
"This is an unacceptable fail by the schools," said CDU education politician Yvonne Averwerser. "Such incidents are concerning and should be investigated immediately." Her faction had put in a request to the Citizens' Assembly, seeking answers regarding the background of the visits and the steps the Senate is taking to keep students away from potential constitutional threats during school-sanctioned trips.
Visits Part of Religious Education
In response to the CDU's request, the Senate clarified that the two schools were unaware that Atib was under the watchful eye of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. Two fourth-grade classes from Grundschule Burgdamm visited a mosque because of its proximity to the school. Oberschule Rockwinkel accompanied a learning group from the seventh grade to another Atib community as part of their religious education.
"Visiting facilities where there's a clear suspicion of nationalist, racist, and Islamist leanings is a no-go for Bremen schools," the Senate's response stated. The current report from the Office for the Protection of the Constitution gives schools the information needed to prevent such situations in the future. If needed, the school authority can offer advisory support.
Education Authority Warns Against Extremist Organizations
Last week, the Bremen education authority warned all schools against getting in contact with extremist organizations following a heads-up from the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. It had earlier alerted the authority that learning groups from Bremen schools had visited Atib communities in Bremen-Nord and Bremen-Ost, which are under observation.
The Lowdown on ATIB:
ATIB, established by Turkish communities in Europe, serves as a cultural and religious umbrella organization for Turkish-Muslim communities. It operates mosques, provides Turkish language education, and facilitates cultural activities, fostering connections to Turkish-Islamic heritage within diaspora communities.
Controversies have arisen due to accusations that some factions within ATIB promote separatist ethnic nationalism and conservative Islamist interpretations, which could hinder broader integration into German society. These concerns have been highlighted in discussions about political Islam in Germany, with some consternation about diaspora organizations receiving funding or influence from Turkey.
Keep in Mind:
ATIB, while important for Turkish Muslims in Europe, has been labeled racist and Islamist by some German authorities due to its alleged inclination towards exclusivity and conservative religious-political tendencies. These allegations reflect broader challenges in maintaining cultural identity while fostering integration within European multicultural societies.
- The Senate's response to the CDU's inquiry revealed that Bremen schools, such as Grundschule Burgdamm and Oberschule Rockwinkel, had visited Atib, a group under the watchful eye of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, due to political and questionable religious reasons.
- In light of the controversy surrounding Atib, which is known to have nationalist, racist, and Islamist leanings, the Bremen education authority warned all schools to avoid contact with extremist organizations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
