BMI German Islam Conference
Federal Minister of the Interior Dr Wolfgang Schäuble opens the first German Conference on Islam in Berlin
"Muslims in Germany– German Muslims"
Federal Minister of the Interior Dr Wolfgang Schäuble opened the first German Conference on Islam (DIK) in the Orangery in Schloss Charlottenburg, Berlin. Invitations had been extended to representatives of the Muslim community and of the German state.
"The Federal Government attaches great importance to the intercultural dialogue with Islam - also in view of its policy on integration," the Federal Minister of the Interior said in Berlin. "This dialogue is not only a key component of a successful integration policy, it also serves to prevent and combat racism, anti-Semitism and extremism. The dialogue with Islam is especially important in this connection. Within this context, clearly naming the differences which separate the partners is a vital sign of mutual respect. This dialogue will only succeed if we better integrate young Muslims in particular both into society and into the world of work."
In launching the German Conference on Islam the Federal Ministry of the Interior is aiming to improve religious and social integration of the Muslim population in Germany. The Conference is intended to be a long-term process of negotiation and communication between the Federal Government and representatives of the Muslim population in Germany and will last two to three years.
The German Conference on Islam will have 30 permanent participants, 15 of whom are representatives of the German government and 15 of whom are representatives of Muslims living in Germany. The latter include the Turkish-Islamic Union (DITIB), the Central Council of Muslims in Germany (ZMD), the Islamic Council, the Association of Islamic Cultural Centres (VIKZ) and the Alevite Community in Germany. However, since only 10-15% of the Muslim population in Germany are members of any Islamic organisation at all, representatives of a modern, secular Islam from the private sector, society, academia and the cultural scene have been invited to take part. "We want all those Muslims living in Germany to be involved in the negotiation process to appropriately reflect their diversity," the Federal Minister of the Interior said.
Representatives of Muslim organisations and those who are not members of any Muslim organisation will be meeting in three working groups and one discussion group to debate the following issues in an ongoing process:
The discussion group "Security and Islamism" will in addition discuss issues concerning internal security, Islamist activities that are directed against the free democratic basic order and the prevention of Islamist acts of violence. One of the objectives of the German Conference on Islam is to reach a consensus to solve problems arising from everyday coexistence.
The aim is that by the end of the discussion process agreement can be reached between German society and the Muslim population in Germany so that both sides undertake to adhere to the principles of social and religious policy. The Federal Minister of the Interior said: "The special emphasis here is on abiding by the free democratic basic order, to which we are all obligated. Everyone who lives in Germany must accept and respect our constitutional and legal order."
"The Federal Government attaches great importance to the intercultural dialogue with Islam - also in view of its policy on integration," the Federal Minister of the Interior said in Berlin. "This dialogue is not only a key component of a successful integration policy, it also serves to prevent and combat racism, anti-Semitism and extremism. The dialogue with Islam is especially important in this connection. Within this context, clearly naming the differences which separate the partners is a vital sign of mutual respect. This dialogue will only succeed if we better integrate young Muslims in particular both into society and into the world of work."
In launching the German Conference on Islam the Federal Ministry of the Interior is aiming to improve religious and social integration of the Muslim population in Germany. The Conference is intended to be a long-term process of negotiation and communication between the Federal Government and representatives of the Muslim population in Germany and will last two to three years.
"It will be a long and difficult process, both for Muslims and for the state."
Interior Minister Dr Wolfgang Schäuble on 28 September in the Bundestag meeting on the dialogue with Muslims in Germany.
The German Conference on Islam will have 30 permanent participants, 15 of whom are representatives of the German government and 15 of whom are representatives of Muslims living in Germany. The latter include the Turkish-Islamic Union (DITIB), the Central Council of Muslims in Germany (ZMD), the Islamic Council, the Association of Islamic Cultural Centres (VIKZ) and the Alevite Community in Germany. However, since only 10-15% of the Muslim population in Germany are members of any Islamic organisation at all, representatives of a modern, secular Islam from the private sector, society, academia and the cultural scene have been invited to take part. "We want all those Muslims living in Germany to be involved in the negotiation process to appropriately reflect their diversity," the Federal Minister of the Interior said.
Representatives of Muslim organisations and those who are not members of any Muslim organisation will be meeting in three working groups and one discussion group to debate the following issues in an ongoing process:
- The German social system and German values,
- Religious issues and the German understanding of constitution,
- The private sector and the media as a bridge-builders.
The discussion group "Security and Islamism" will in addition discuss issues concerning internal security, Islamist activities that are directed against the free democratic basic order and the prevention of Islamist acts of violence. One of the objectives of the German Conference on Islam is to reach a consensus to solve problems arising from everyday coexistence.
The aim is that by the end of the discussion process agreement can be reached between German society and the Muslim population in Germany so that both sides undertake to adhere to the principles of social and religious policy. The Federal Minister of the Interior said: "The special emphasis here is on abiding by the free democratic basic order, to which we are all obligated. Everyone who lives in Germany must accept and respect our constitutional and legal order."
