German Islam integration talks open amid boycott

May 17, 2010, 16:13 GMT

Berlin - A major round of government-sponsored talks intended to integrate Germany's Muslims into mainstream society opened in Berlin Monday, despite being boycotted by a leading Islamic organization.

The second Islam Conference, which entails regular meetings between Muslim leaders and government officials until 2013, was opened by interior minister Thomas de Maiziere, who urged a 'strengthened participation of Muslims in Germany.'

However the Central Council of Muslims, an organization representing some 20,000 members of mainly Turkish descent, said on May 12 that it would not take part in what they saw as 'nothing but a government-decreed forum.'

The council argued that the talks had no concrete goal, and did not give enough priority to issues like Islamophobia.

'To strengthen the sense of belonging: That is our goal,' de Maiziere said Monday.

The first Islam Conference, which took place between 2006 and 2008 had 'laid the groundwork for our dialogue,' he said.

About 5 per cent of Germany's population, or 4 million people, are from Muslim backgrounds, with a majority having Turkish roots.

Conflict has regularly flared in recent years over such issues as the wearing of the Islamic veil, gender equality, and the building of mosques.

'Muslims must not only be part of the problem in this country, they must also be in the position to be part of the solution,' said Hamideh Mohahgheghi, a German-Iranian theologian who will participate in the conference.

The discussion was to be broadened so that it could take place 'on the street, in the mosques and around the kitchen table,' de Maiziere said.

Plans published by the interior ministry on Monday aim to focus the talks into three areas: Training of imams, promotion of gender equality and the prevention of radicalization.

The participant list for the talks has been a point of strife between the government and the Muslim community, after the Council of Islam group, which is seen as being dominated by an organization connected with criminality, was ejected from the line-up in March.