The German Islam Conference
In September 2006, the first German Islam Conference (DIK) began a long-term dialogue between the German state and Muslims in Germany. The aim of the DIK is to find mutual solutions to important questions of co-existence. The DIK intends to strengthen the dialogue between the German state and the Muslim population and to contribute to better integration.
The Federal Government has now created programmes with integration courses , integration projects and initial advisory services which have been accepted by many Muslims.
The dialogue between the German state and the Muslim population was started by the German Islam Conference. The process of dialogue which is planned to continue for several years to come is intended to counter Islamist tendencies while at the same time promoting the acceptance of Muslims as part of German society. With the help of the German Islam Conference, a broader agreement concerning compliance with socio-political and religious principles is to be worked out together.
Themes and aims of the DIK
The relationship of state and religion is at the centre of the DIK. The dialogue is concerned above all with the issue of how the relationship between a broadly secular political system and its citizens with all its rights of freedom (including freedom of worship) is to be evaluated and formed. The issue will also be looked at as to how the organisation of Islam in Germany can be fulfilled within the applicable German religious constitutional law.
The aim of the DIK is to find practical solutions to co-existence issues and thus to improve the integration of Muslims in Germany. In addition, the German Islam Conference will contribute towards
- greater understanding
- mutual acceptance
- (intercultural) dialogue
- an appreciation of diversity.
Participants
The following are involved in the German Islam Conference:
- 15 state representatives
- 5 representatives of leading Islamic associations
- 10 Muslims not involved with specific organisations.
As there is no unified representation of the Muslim population in Germany and according to the Federal Ministry of the Interior only 10-15% of Muslims in Germany are estimated to be involved in Islamic asscociations, "non-affiliated" persons with a Muslim background are also included in the German Islam Conference. According to Dr Wolfgang Schäuble, the Minister for the Interior, all Muslims living in Germany should be represented and involved according to their diversity.
The following associations are involved in the German Islam Conference:
- Alevitische Gemeinde Deutschland e.V.
- Islamrat für die Bundesrepublik Deutschland (IR)
- Türkisch-Islamische Union der Anstalt für Religion e.V. (DITIB)
- Verband der Islamischen Kulturzentren e.V. (VIKZ)
- Zentralrat der Muslime in Deutschland (ZMD).
Subject areas and working methods of the DIK
The dialogue process takes place at two levels:
1. Central issues of harmonious co-existences are analysed together in three working groups and a discussion group made up of state and Muslim representatives and academic experts and specific recommendations for action are developed.
Subject areas are:
- German social order and a consensus on values
- Issues of religion within the concept of the German constitution
- Business and media as a bridge
- Security and fundamental Islam.
Further information on the DIK's topics can be found in the players' area of this integration gateway.
2. The results of the working groups and discussion group are presented at the plenary meeting of the German Islam Conference which takes place every 6 months under the chairmanship of Dr Schäuble.
