Islam in Germany

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Together with the work migration of the 1960s from Turkey, Islam became a visible religion in Germany. As of 2004, there are 3 million Muslims (3.2% of the population). After the Lutheran and Roman Catholic confessions Muslims are now the third largest organized religious group in the country.

Since Islamd is not a traditional religion in Germany and since most problems with enforced migration into Germany focuses on this religious point, currently there are several intensive disputes about the place of Islam in the German state and society.

Currently discussed topics are the head-scarf in schools. The freedom of believe enjoined by the teacher opposes in the view of many the neutral stance of the state towards religion; many also see the head-scarf mainly as a political symbol for the oppression of women. As of 2004, some of the German states introduced legislation banning head-scarfs for teachers. It is unclear if these laws will prove to be constitutional.

In Germany, religious education is taugt as a quite regular subject in school. It is discussed if next to christian religious teaching Islamic religious teachings should occur.

Fears of religious fundamentalism came into the focus of attention after September 11, 2001, especially in relation to a renewed religious fundamentalism of second- and third generation Muslims in Germany. Also the various confrontations between Islamic religious law (Sharia) and the norms of German Basic law and culture are discussed hotly. German critics can be as well liberals who claim that Islamic fundamentalism violates basic fundamental rights as well as Christians who see Germany as a state grounded on a Christian tradition.

See also: Friedrich Rückert Annemarie Schimmel

Needs major expansion and anglicisation