They are the first imams to have completed their training in German at the Islamkolleg Deutschland: 26 graduates received their graduation certificates. Now they hope for good career prospects.
They took part in training to become imams for two years – now the first 26 graduates of the Islamkolleg Germany have received their final certificates. Former Federal President Christian Wulff, who is chairman of the college’s board of trustees, spoke of a historic day. “For the first time, imams will complete their training in Germany in German, something that has never happened before,” said Wulff. This is long overdue.
The Islamkolleg Germany was founded at the end of 2019 with its headquarters in Osnabrück. The first participants began their training in summer 2021. The prerequisite for imam training is usually the completion of an academic degree in Islamic theology in Germany. The college is funded by the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
Difficult search for employment
However, career prospects are still apparently difficult. Wulff expressed his confidence that the graduates’ current difficulties in finding employment could be solved in the coming years. He sees great opportunities in expanding Islamic welfare. As with Caritas and Diakonie, this can be financed by the state and also offers jobs for pastors. There are also positive signals from the Federal Ministry of Defense that Muslim chaplains could also be hired in the Bundeswehr in the future.
The chairman of the Central Council of Muslims in Germany, Aiman Mazyek, also expressed his delight at the first graduates. There is a great need for qualified imams who represent an enlightened Islam. However, it must be clear that the state is not allowed to finance religious staff either directly or indirectly, emphasized Mazyek, whose association is one of the founding members of the college.
State’s duty?
The director of the Islamkolleg Germany, Bülent Ucar, wanted the training of imams at institutions like the Islamkolleg to become mainstream. He is confident that their career prospects will improve. Unlike Mazyek, Ucar sees not only the Muslims but also the state as having a duty. Since this also indirectly supports other religions financially in Germany, this should also be possible for Muslims.