Insta
Bill Mandating Muslim Preachers To Demonstrate Proficiency In German Before Working In Germany Gets Cabinet Approval
A mosque in Germany (representative image) (via Twitter)
A bill passed on Wednesday (6 November) by the German cabinet requiring all imams who work in Germany to prove their proficiency in the German language is soon expected to be approved by the German Parliament ‘Bundestag’, reports The Telegraph.
What it means that foreign preachers will only be granted work visas if they can demonstrate basic German language proficiency. They would then need to show improvements in their language skills after a year in order to prolong their stay.
Although the new law applies to all religious preachers, the coalition treaty signed by the German government - which includes the rule - specifically refers to ‘imams’ or Muslim clerics.
Interior Minister Horst Seehofer hailed it as “a vital contribution for successful integration in Germany.” The German government believes that imams will play a pivotal role as models of integration for other immigrants, who often turn to mosques for help when they first arrive.
However for a long time, German media has reported concerns about clerics preaching in other languages exacerbating the issue that there are no official figures on the number of mosques in Germany, nor on where their funding comes from.
Authorities have long suspected that Gulf States, including Saudi Arabia, have been sending massive amount of petrodollars to finance the construction of mosques in Germany in order to spread the fundamentalist Wahhabi Islam practised on the Arabian Peninsula.
Conservatives in Germany think that imams who preach in other languages will espouse views hostile to democracy in a secular and pluralistic society.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest
