Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07FRANKFURT501
2007-02-02 13:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Frankfurt
Cable title:  

Islamic Religious Classes in Baden-Wuerttemberg: Positive

Tags:  PHUM SCUL KISL GM 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6437
RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHLZ
DE RUEHFT #0501 0331355
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 021355Z FEB 07
FM AMCONSUL FRANKFURT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9340
INFO RUCNFRG/FRG COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS FRANKFURT 000501 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/AGS

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM SCUL KISL GM
SUBJECT: Islamic Religious Classes in Baden-Wuerttemberg: Positive
Initial Reports

REF: 2005 Frankfurt 2478

Sensitive but unclassified; not for internet distribution.

UNCLAS FRANKFURT 000501

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/AGS

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM SCUL KISL GM
SUBJECT: Islamic Religious Classes in Baden-Wuerttemberg: Positive
Initial Reports

REF: 2005 Frankfurt 2478

Sensitive but unclassified; not for internet distribution.


1. (U) SUMMARY: In September 2006, Baden-Wuerttemberg (B-W) became
the latest German state to offer Islamic religious instruction in
public schools. On January 17, the Consul General and state
officials observed a class at the Rosensteinschule in Stuttgart, one
of twelve elementary schools taking part in the pilot program.
School officials say parental interest is high and initial reviews
are positive. END SUMMARY.

Immigrant Parents Involved and Learning As Well
-------------- --


2. (U) In an effort to help integrate its substantial and growing
Muslim population (approximately 600,000 or 5.7 percent),the state
of Baden-Wuerttemberg recently introduced Islamic religious
instruction in public schools (reftel). While many German states
offer Islamic instruction in various forms, Baden-Wuerttemberg is
the first to field a religious curriculum for public schools that
state officials and Muslim groups have agreed upon (along the lines
of approved curricula for Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish faiths).
Since the start of the 2006/2007 school year, Islamic religious
courses have been offered on a trial basis at twelve elementary
schools throughout B-W. Instruction is in German, something
welcomed by immigrant parents, and initial reactions are positive.
Due to strong demand, six to eight additional teachers will be hired
for the 2007/2008 academic year. In the city of Mannheim, for
instance, there are forty children on a waiting list for classes.


3. (U) On January 17, the Consul General visited an Islamic class at
Stuttgart's Rosensteinschule along with Dr. Barbara Lichtenthaeler,
the B-W Education/Cultural Ministry official responsible for the
program. Rosensteinschule has approximately 400 pupils of which
eighty percent come from an immigrant/minority background
(representing thirty-two different nations including Turkey,
Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Egypt and Bosnia) and is one of two
schools in state capital Stuttgart participating in the project.


4. (SBU) Schools, teachers, and public officials have worked for
several years to bring the program to fruition and they are anxious
to see it succeed. Lichtenthaeler said it had taken over seven
years to introduce the curriculum (reftel) and that an important
factor in the program's success is parental consent and involvement.
The teacher, Ms. Goekcen Tamer-Uzun, told us of the deep interest
parents are showing in the classes and of her efforts to get to know
parents. School principal Ingrid Macher echoed these sentiments.
According to Tamer-Uzun, many parents have only a basic knowledge of
Islam and see the classes as a chance to learn more about their
religion. Tamer-Uzun pointed out that some parents actually prefer
the public school curriculum over classes held in mosques, since
parents have less influence and feedback from mosque-based
instruction. At present, Tamer-Uzun is the only teacher for both
Stuttgart schools; she tries to portray the Islamic faith in the
context of German culture as well.

COMMENT
--------------


6. (SBU) Public school Islamic religious instruction -- made
possible by the traditional interaction of church and state in
German school system -- is an important step in Baden-Wuerttemberg's
efforts to integrate its growing Muslim population. The state now
needs to expand the program with additional teachers and a secondary
school curriculum (the current program applies only to elementary
schools). Curriculum development was a sticking point in this
prolonged endeavor, given the Muslim community's religious
fragmentation (reftel). The state also needs to bolster instruction
at B-W universities in order to train future teachers. Despite
these challenges, all sides welcome the program, which could serve
as a model for other German states.


7. (U) This cable was coordinated with Embassy Berlin.

POWELL