22.11.2011 The federal government of North Rhine-Westphalia is planning on initiating a political forum to intensify and improve the dialogue and cooperation with Muslims and Muslim organisations. Similar to the national “Islam Conference”, the “Dialogue Forum Islam” is meant to address important issues related to Muslims, such as their structural integration, educational opportunities, and inter-religious…
06.11.2011 Various German newspapers report about the celebrations of Eid around the globe. As reported by the Ostthüringer Zeitung and the Ahlener Zeitung, Muslim communities in Thüringen and North Rhine Westphalia celebrate the holiday and have established ways of making sacrifices that are in line with German rules and regulations. In light of current celebrations,…
05.08.2010 In an interview with Die Welt, a national German newspaper, North Rhine-Westphalia’s former Integration Minister (2005 – 2010), Armin Laschet (CDU), has defended the freedom of speech in Germany and revealed his fear of similar attacks on German ground. According to Laschet, recent events in Norway and Breivik’s references to critiques of Islam must…
08.07.2011 The federal states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony are planning to introduce Islamic religious education in state schools, starting at the beginning of the school year of 2012/ 2013 (as reported). The new subject is not only meant to impart knowledge and introduce children to Islamic practices, but also offers opportunities to promote…
17.06.2011 Last week, the Administrative Court in Arnsberg/ North Rhine-Westphalia had to deal with a lawsuit against the construction of a mosque (by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Group) filed by a local resident. The presiding judge indicated very early on that the lawsuit was not likely to be successful. However, not the lawsuit filed be…
