Germany takes another step towards the Islamism of its public life. The state of Schleswig-Holstein, in the north of the country, has signed an agreement with the Islamic Association VIKZ formally recognising the right of Muslims to be absent from school or work on two of their main holidays: the start of Ramadan and the Feast of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha).
The treaty, signed by the regional Ministry of Education and Culture, establishes that these dates are legally protected under the regulations governing Sundays and public holidays, the same regulations that govern Christmas and Yom Kippur. Although Muslims will not have ‘extra’ public holidays for the whole of society, they do obtain the official right to individual leave, which previously depended on informal agreements.
Beyond public holidays, the agreement opens the door for Islam to be taught as a subject in public schools in Schleswig-Holstein, on an equal footing with Catholicism, Protestantism and Judaism. The VIKZ will also be granted rights to manage educational and cultural institutions and even train imams.
Education Minister Dorit Stenke (CDU) defended the measure as ‘a sign of recognition and equal treatment.’ For his part, VIKZ Vice-President Muhlis Şahin welcomed the agreement, stating that ‘Islam is part of our social life’ and that its aim is to deepen integration and respect.
Local media clarified that this does not mean that Ramadan or Eid will become public holidays for all citizens, but rather that the Muslim community will be granted an exclusive legal right. However, critics warn that the decision is a further step towards the institutionalisation of Islam in Europe and the transformation of the German cultural framework.
