Basic program: CDU changes controversial statement about Muslims

Do “Muslims who share our values” belong to Germany? At least the wording is controversial in the CDU. That is why she has now changed the draft of the basic program after a controversial debate.

After a controversial debate about a sentence, the application committee changed the passage about Islam in the planned new CDU policy program. The paper is there ARD capital studio before. It says: “An Islam that does not share our values ​​and rejects our free society does not belong to Germany.” Previously the sentence was: “Muslims who share our values ​​belong to Germany.” The CDU party conference, which will take place from May 6th to 8th in Berlin, will vote on the basic program.

The passage on Islam decided by the application committee now begins with the words: “Muslims are part of the religious diversity of Germany and our society.” The CDU is also committed to further expanding research and teaching in Islamic theology and the training of German-speaking imams at German universities.

Central Council of Muslims also rejects changed statement

The Central Council of Muslims in Germany also criticized the new version of the passage. It is “another attempt by the Christian Democratic Union to fish in murky waters to stigmatize Muslims,” ​​said Central Council Chairman Aiman ​​Mazyek the editorial network Germany.

Mazyek criticized: “If anything, a formulation that addresses all world views and religious communities would be acceptable, instead of just singling out a specific one and labeling it negatively.” The CDU’s approach was “selective” and exploited anti-Muslim sentiments and stereotypes, the Central Council complained -Chairman.

The goal is a vibrant community life

The CDU draft also points out that many Muslims have found a new home in Germany for decades. Very few of them are organized in the large Islamic associations. They are supported in organizing themselves here. “Our goal is a vibrant community life based on the Basic Law and its values.”

At the same time, the CDU opposes any “influence by foreign governments on local mosque communities, Islamic associations, Muslim organizations and German Muslims.” Alternatives must be found to foreign financing of mosque communities and to sending imams from abroad.

Unlike large churches and Jewish communities, mosque communities do not have traditional membership structures and therefore generally have difficulty with corporate status and do not collect taxes. Many Islamic communities also rely on imams from abroad for financial reasons.

Discussion after Wulff speech

Formulations about Islam have repeatedly sparked discussions in Germany in the past. Around 2010, when the then Federal President Christian Wulff said in a speech on the 20th anniversary of German unity that Islam now also belongs to Germany.

Four years earlier, Wolfgang Schäuble, CDU, had used a similar formulation when he opened the first Islam conference as Federal Interior Minister: “Islam is part of Germany and part of Europe.” Later, then-Chancellor Angela Merkel took up Wulff’s sentence again and said: “That’s true – I agree with that too.”