Open dialogue on thorny issues
Beyond all the intellectual debates about their religion, most Muslims in Germany face difficulties in their everyday lives that they would dearly like to solve. The Goethe-Institut, in co-operation with the Robert Bosch Stiftung, has initiated a project called "Muslim Associations as Community Activists". The project seeks not only to create stronger ties between mosque associations in German cities and the city authorities but also to improve relations between the various Muslim denominations. By Claudia Mende
How can we organise our religious festivals? How can we ensure that we eat in accordance with the rules of our religion? Where do we want to be buried? These are important questions for Muslims, who are increasingly becoming part of mainstream society in Germany yet still want to continue practicing their respective forms of Islam. In order to foster communication between Muslim congregations and the authorities of the cities in which they live, the Goethe-Institut and the Robert Bosch Stiftung, a major German foundation, have initiated a three-year project.