The building committee of the Memmingen city council has rejected the Turkish Islamic Community’s building application for a minaret at a mosque. The city of Memmingen announced on Thursday that seven committee members voted in favor and seven against on Wednesday. In the event of a tie, the application is considered rejected in accordance with municipal regulations.
Mayor Jan Rothenbacher (SPD) wants to have the building committee’s negative decision examined by the plenary session on Monday due to legal concerns. The city said the administration was also commissioned to develop procedural steps for drawing up a development plan for the area.
The Turkish Islamic Community of Memmingen had applied to build a 24 meter high minaret on an existing foundation at the mosque. The main material of the minaret is reinforced concrete with fine plaster; an aluminum covering is provided for the pointed tent roof. The community had also explained that the minaret was a purely structural religious symbol – there was no loudspeaker system intended to call for prayer.
The building authority came to the conclusion that the project was generally approved under planning law. The SPD in the city council reacted to the vote with incomprehension. “We are very surprised that the CSU, CRB, Free Voters and ÖDP did not agree to the application.” For many, it’s about more than just the will to build a building. The SPD also looks critically at the mosque landscape and political Islam. But: “When we start evaluating building applications based on the applicant’s religious background or beliefs, we are applying double standards.” In times when uncertainty is rampant and the AfD and the right-wing mob are laying an ax to the foundations of democracy, it is important that everyone can rely on law and order.