BERLIN – A German academic advisory council has suggested that those who teach Islam at schools should hold a university theology degree as a minimum qualification, a proposal welcomed by the government and others.
"More than four million Muslims live in Germany and their children have a right to be taught their religion at school," Peter Strohschneider, head of the German Council of Science and Humanities, told reporters following release of their new report on Monday, February 1.
The report says Germany has 700,000 Muslim pupils who would need 2,000 Islam teachers if all states offer religious education for them.
"The teachers for these classes must receive academic training," Strohschneider said.
For that purpose the council, comprising senior government officials and professors, proposed establishing Islamic theology departments at two to three public universities initially.
It wants advisory groups from the Muslim community formed to decide upon content and hiring professors to avoid concerns that non-believers might be hired to teach courses.
The council supports that the Muslim community should have the right to veto potential professors.
Currently, many German universities teach about Islam in Middle Eastern studies or history courses, but none teaches its theology, law and languages in an academic curriculum similar to that used in their Christian theology faculties.
But a department has been set up at one German university in the western city of Muenster to train schoolteachers to teach Islam to children, offering courses on the Quran and other topics
Welcome
The council’s call was welcomed by the government.
"It would promote the study of Islamic scripture and history using academic methods, with the state footing the bill," said Education Minister Annette Schavan.
She said the federal government was likely to contribute start-up money, with each institute expected to cost 1.5 million euros a year.
The minister believes the proposal would be of great benefits for Muslims students and teachers alike.
"Training Muslim religion teachers and developing Islamic studies… is part of a decisive integration policy in a modern society," Schavan told Deutschlandfunk radio.
"They have to study here in Germany to learn this culture, to learn the language, to learn different things about the school system, and to learn about the people who educate these children."
Most the teachers currently teaching Muslim children in German schools are reportedly trained in Turkey.
There are reportedly 2,250 imams, including about 800 of Turkish origin, serving in some 160 mosques and 2,600 prayer halls across Germany.
The German association of Turkish Muslim congregations (DITIB) had earlier announced a four-month integration course for foreign imams to help accelerate Muslim integration.
Teaching them German language and culture, they were also taught about the powers of the state, life in a pluralistic society, religious diversity, the educational system, migration, and community work.
Many European countries have been seeking ways to educate Muslim imams and teachers in Europe, preferring them to foreign imams coming from Muslim countries.
"More than four million Muslims live in Germany and their children have a right to be taught their religion at school," Peter Strohschneider, head of the German Council of Science and Humanities, told reporters following release of their new report on Monday, February 1.
The report says Germany has 700,000 Muslim pupils who would need 2,000 Islam teachers if all states offer religious education for them.
"The teachers for these classes must receive academic training," Strohschneider said.
For that purpose the council, comprising senior government officials and professors, proposed establishing Islamic theology departments at two to three public universities initially.
It wants advisory groups from the Muslim community formed to decide upon content and hiring professors to avoid concerns that non-believers might be hired to teach courses.
The council supports that the Muslim community should have the right to veto potential professors.
Currently, many German universities teach about Islam in Middle Eastern studies or history courses, but none teaches its theology, law and languages in an academic curriculum similar to that used in their Christian theology faculties.
But a department has been set up at one German university in the western city of Muenster to train schoolteachers to teach Islam to children, offering courses on the Quran and other topics
Welcome
The council’s call was welcomed by the government.
"It would promote the study of Islamic scripture and history using academic methods, with the state footing the bill," said Education Minister Annette Schavan.
She said the federal government was likely to contribute start-up money, with each institute expected to cost 1.5 million euros a year.
The minister believes the proposal would be of great benefits for Muslims students and teachers alike.
"Training Muslim religion teachers and developing Islamic studies… is part of a decisive integration policy in a modern society," Schavan told Deutschlandfunk radio.
"They have to study here in Germany to learn this culture, to learn the language, to learn different things about the school system, and to learn about the people who educate these children."
Most the teachers currently teaching Muslim children in German schools are reportedly trained in Turkey.
There are reportedly 2,250 imams, including about 800 of Turkish origin, serving in some 160 mosques and 2,600 prayer halls across Germany.
The German association of Turkish Muslim congregations (DITIB) had earlier announced a four-month integration course for foreign imams to help accelerate Muslim integration.
Teaching them German language and culture, they were also taught about the powers of the state, life in a pluralistic society, religious diversity, the educational system, migration, and community work.
Many European countries have been seeking ways to educate Muslim imams and teachers in Europe, preferring them to foreign imams coming from Muslim countries.
