In Germany, Quran Street Giveaway Campaign Sparks Controversy
In the Bavarian city of Nuremberg, Salafi Muslims have been handing out free hardback editions of the Quran, an activity the organizers say is to give the public a better understanding of Islam.
St. Lawrence's Church rises majestically above downtown Nuremberg, its twin spires overlooking a medieval center that was extensively rebuilt after Allied bombing in World War II laid waste to much of the city.
Almost in the shadow of the church, a stall has been set up on a recent Saturday to distribute religious works to passers-by. While this area might seem a fitting setting for some weekend proselytizing, it is not the Bible or other Christian texts that are being handed out; instead, German translations of the Quran are being presented to shoppers.
Next to a sign in German calling for people to "Read! In the name of your Lord," hardback editions are given out free-of-charge. On a typical day, the volunteers at the stall say between 150 and 200 copies are collected by passers-by.
"They can get an understanding of what Muslims believe. … If he takes the Quran, he can make his own interpretation," said Isa, 27, a German-born volunteer with the initiative who declined to give his full name.
"If he reads it, he can get a better understanding, and his hostility will be reduced. Sometimes people ask us what we believe. We say, 'Take one and read the Quran.' "
While those giving out the Qurans in this city in Bavaria insist they are just offering people an opportunity to better understand Islam, the nationwide initiative of which this is part has sparked controversy since its 2011 launch.
Among the concerns is that the program is being run by Salafis, regarded as belonging to one of the most conservative branches of Islam. These Sunnis, who advocate a strict interpretation of Islamic teachings, constitute approximately 0.1 percent of Germany's 4 million Muslims, but they have attracted attention that belies their modest numbers.
"Although the Salafi groups represent only a small minority of German Muslims, with their fundamentalist religiosity and fanatic appearance, they're seen as distorting the image of Muslims and Islam in Germany as a whole," said Stephan Rosiny, a research fellow at the Institute of Middle East Studies at the German Institute of Global and Area Studies in Hamburg.
The Quran giveaway has been initiated and funded by Ibrahim Abou Nagie, a businessman who became wealthy selling self-adhesive films after moving to Germany from the Gaza Strip as a teenager.
Some Muslim groups, notably Germany's Central Council of Muslims, have criticized the initiative, concerned over what is seen as the extreme conservatism of Salafism.
"Other Muslim communities oppose Salafism because Salafis denounce as heretics even other Muslims, for example Shiites and Mystics (Sufis), who do not follow their strict understanding of Islam," Rosiny said.
There has also been much discussion in Germany over possible links between Salafism and terrorism.
Source: Prague Post
Almost in the shadow of the church, a stall has been set up on a recent Saturday to distribute religious works to passers-by. While this area might seem a fitting setting for some weekend proselytizing, it is not the Bible or other Christian texts that are being handed out; instead, German translations of the Quran are being presented to shoppers.
Next to a sign in German calling for people to "Read! In the name of your Lord," hardback editions are given out free-of-charge. On a typical day, the volunteers at the stall say between 150 and 200 copies are collected by passers-by.
"They can get an understanding of what Muslims believe. … If he takes the Quran, he can make his own interpretation," said Isa, 27, a German-born volunteer with the initiative who declined to give his full name.
"If he reads it, he can get a better understanding, and his hostility will be reduced. Sometimes people ask us what we believe. We say, 'Take one and read the Quran.' "
While those giving out the Qurans in this city in Bavaria insist they are just offering people an opportunity to better understand Islam, the nationwide initiative of which this is part has sparked controversy since its 2011 launch.
Among the concerns is that the program is being run by Salafis, regarded as belonging to one of the most conservative branches of Islam. These Sunnis, who advocate a strict interpretation of Islamic teachings, constitute approximately 0.1 percent of Germany's 4 million Muslims, but they have attracted attention that belies their modest numbers.
"Although the Salafi groups represent only a small minority of German Muslims, with their fundamentalist religiosity and fanatic appearance, they're seen as distorting the image of Muslims and Islam in Germany as a whole," said Stephan Rosiny, a research fellow at the Institute of Middle East Studies at the German Institute of Global and Area Studies in Hamburg.
The Quran giveaway has been initiated and funded by Ibrahim Abou Nagie, a businessman who became wealthy selling self-adhesive films after moving to Germany from the Gaza Strip as a teenager.
Some Muslim groups, notably Germany's Central Council of Muslims, have criticized the initiative, concerned over what is seen as the extreme conservatism of Salafism.
"Other Muslim communities oppose Salafism because Salafis denounce as heretics even other Muslims, for example Shiites and Mystics (Sufis), who do not follow their strict understanding of Islam," Rosiny said.
There has also been much discussion in Germany over possible links between Salafism and terrorism.
Source: Prague Post
