BERLIN: Germany has agreed with Türkiye to section out a controversial programme that posts Turkish imams to German mosques, the inside ministry in Berlin introduced on Thursday (Dec 14), saying that the transfer would increase the combination of Muslims in Germany.
Some 100 imams are to be skilled in Germany every year, underneath an settlement between the ministry, Turkish non secular authority Diyanet and Turkish Islamic affiliation DITIB.
These imams will step by step change Diyanet-employed clerics working in Germany, which has a big Turkish diaspora however has seen its authorities typically spar politically with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, in energy for 20 years, and his AK social gathering.
“We’d like clerics who converse our language, know our nation and get up for our values,” German Inside Minister Nancy Faeser stated in an announcement.
“This is a crucial milestone for the combination and participation of Muslim communities in Germany,” she added.
DITIB, the most important Islamic affiliation in Germany with some 900 mosques, has been the topic of political controversy within the nation, most lately when an Afghan Taliban member spoke at one in every of its mosques within the western metropolis of Cologne final month.
In 2017, German officers referred to as on DITIB to undertake basic reforms following allegations that its imams despatched by Diyanet had spied on behalf of Ankara. Diyanet denied any involvement and a probe was closed with none costs introduced.