Since the first Deutsche Islamkonferenz (DIK, German Islam Conference) at the latest, the state has been seeking a long-term dialogue with German Muslims. That this initiative was only launched in 2006 is a missed opportunity. Muslim women and men were ignored as part of society for far too long, and in part racially discriminated against. At the same time there is vehement criticism of the way individual forms of dialogue are conducted. Again and again, Islamist actors use the dialogue to gain recognition and influence. Several large Islamic associations are monitored by the Verfassungsschutz (domestic intelligence service); in some cases Islamist actors are part of larger umbrella bodies such as the Zentralrat der Muslime (Central Council of Muslims). Other large Islamic associations, such as DITIB, are under the influence of authoritarian regimes. In addition there is a problem of representation: even if some associations can indeed point to high membership figures, the individual associations only ever represent a small fraction of Muslims. Experts point out again and again that the conservative to anti-constitutional actors are heavily over-represented in the dialogue. How can democratic and constitutionally compliant Islamic associations be strengthened? Is dialogue with enemies of the constitution unavoidable? Where do the red lines in the dialogue run?WerteInitiative e.V. is continuing its series „360° – threats to Jewish life in Germany and dangers for liberal democracy. On 19 October 2022 it addressed the topic “Islamic associations – partners for German politics?”. We discussed this question with top-class guests. Guests on the panel are:
- Lamya Kaddor (domestic policy spokesperson of the Bundestag parliamentary group of Bündnis90/Die Grünen)
- Murat Kayman (founding member of Alhambra Gesellschaft)
- Ahmad Mansour (MIND prevention)
- Dr Susanne Schröter (director of the Frankfurter Forschungszentrum Globaler Islam / FFGI)
Moderation: Leonard Kaminski (spokesperson of WerteInitiative)
