The Humboldt University of Berlin has announced it is to open an Islamic theology institute. Graduates will be able to work as imams or to teach in schools.
Image: Picture-Alliance/dpa/M. Kappeler
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The Humboldt University of Berlin (HU) announced on Monday its plans to open an Islamic theology institute.
With its new course program, the institute will join five other universities in Germany teaching Islamic theology.
According to HU President Sabine Kunst: "We are currently beginning the process of establishing an institute for Islamic theology. Nothing more and also nothing less."
In response to the assessment by the Catholic News Agency (KNA) that the program was designed to thwart fundamentalist tendencies, HU's spokesperson Hans-Christoph Keller said the university would not comment on speculation by news agencies. Keller said the goal of the course program "is to impart academic foundations in Islamic theology for training imams and to qualify students for a school teaching post."
"Affiliation to the Muslim faith shall not be a requirement for admission to these courses," the university also said in a statement on its website.
Courses to start this year
Berlin's mayor, Michael Müller, called the endeavor a "matter of great importance" and a high priority. Matthias Kuder, a spokesman for the mayor, told DW that 13.5 million euros ($14.5 million) of national funding would secure the finances of the institute until 2022.
Michael Borgolte, a former HU Professor of Medieval Studies, is expected to oversee the founding of the institute. His work to date has focused on European history from Christian, Jewish and Islamic perspectives.
"The Institute for Islamic Theology is expected to be established relatively quickly," the HU said in its statement. "The aim is to begin offering courses for the 2018/2019 winter semester."
Print copy of the Koran.Image: picture alliance/dpa/M.Fathi
Representatives from Muslim organizations are on the institute's advisory board, which is to review applications from those wishing to teach the program. The board is expected to examine candidates' denominational background.
The controversial Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs (DITIB), a Turkish umbrella group engaged in religious, social and cultural activities, will also represented with one seat on the 15-member advisory board. DITIB comprises over 900 mosques linked to the Turkish government's Directorate of Religion.
Some DITIB imams have been suspected of spying on supporters of US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen. However, Borgolte said there has not yet been any "point of conflict" with DITIB representatives. However, Mayor Müller cautioned "we must look at who we work together with." Keller added that an assessment of the DITIB advisory board member's influence on the choice of candidates for the professorships is not possible at this point "since members of the advisory board have not been confirmed yet."
A new faculty in the planning
Evangelical theologists from HU have put forward another suggestion for inclusive theological teaching. Their request to found a joint "Faculty for Theology" for Christians, Muslims and Jews, has been met with encouragement from Berlin Mayor Müller.
Müller confirmed his support for the proposal, calling it a "pioneering idea and viable undertaking," but one that would take time to implement.
His opinion was confirmed by HU President Sabine Kunst who said "We have to take one step at a time."
"The first step is to set up the Institute for Islamic Theology at the HU. We want this to be a success. It is important that this key project is not overloaded by a much broader idea," she said.
Eight young people answer eight tough questions about Muslims in Germany
This year's Young Islam Conference has the theme "repairing dialogue." But is dialogue between Muslims and non-Muslims really broken? And if so, how can it be fixed? DW asked eight of the participants.
Image: DW/J. Chase
Do you feel German?
Aya (18 years old from Bielefeld) is one of the participants in the 2017 Young Islam Conference in Berlin. She says: "I feel more German than Moroccan. I grew up with German culture and have a much greater connection to it than to what you could call my other country." So what did some of her fellow participants say about other questions concerning Islam in Germany?
Image: DW/J. Chase
Is Europe being Islamified?
Martin (22, Flensburg) says: "No. Europe is getting more culture. I think Europe is going through some painful learning phases at the moment - the Brexit is an example of that. But if you look at the statistics and facts, Europe is not being Islamified. That's just false. You can't support that thesis. It's nonsense."
Image: DW/J. Chase
What does integration mean for you?
Volkan (24, Siegen) says: "For me it's mainly the feeling of belonging, of not being excluded. As someone from an immigrant background, you get asked a lot of questions that make you realize that you don't really belong. That really bothered me as a child. No matter where I was or what I did, I was always the outsider."
Image: DW/J. Chase
What needs repairing in relations between Muslims and non-Muslims?
Hannah (Kiel, 21) says: "I think the problem in Germany is that people talk a lot about one another instead of talking to one another. We've never learned how to go up to someone and ask: 'Why are you wearing a headscarf?' If you don't take an interest in Islam, you'll never be able to answer such questions. It's so easy to approach someone with a headscarf and ask her to explain."
Image: DW/J. Chase
What bothers you most about media depictions of Muslims?
Merve (19, Duisburg): "What irritates me about how Muslims are portrayed is when we're reduced to one single external attribute. For instance, I choose to wear a headscarf. But that doesn't mean I'm some poor helpless thing. And there's much more to me than that. For instance, I'm someone who's proud to be from Duisburg."
Image: DW/J. Chase
What should be done about anti-Muslim hate speech and fake news?
Ahmed (25, Cologne) says: "The most important thing is always dialogue. With fake news or hate speech on social media, I'd always be ready for a discussion. Especially with Facebook, I'd have the courage to comment on things. I'm very active. I reactivated my facebook account one month ago to take part in the debate about Turkey. It's important for me to discuss things rationally."
Image: DW/J. Chase
What would you say to anti-immigrant movements like Pegida or the AfD?
Aylin (19, Selent) says: "I wouldn't say anything. It would make no sense to talk to these groups. Some people are unwilling to change their minds. The AfD are very convinced of their views, and those left in Pegida must be as well. Those views are, in part, forbidden by the constitution. But I think that at the moment this is just a trend and that many people will come to their senses."
Image: DW/J. Chase
Is Islam part of Germany?
Paul, (19, Kiel) says: "Definitely. Germany is a geographical area in which one society lives and acts. Every group that lives in this area is part of Germany. If I live in Germany, I'm part of Germany, and I have the right to say 'I'm German.' As far as I'm concerned people don't even have to speak the language."
