Shia Muslims enjoy significant freedom of action in Germany; lesson for France

“There are nearly 5 million Muslims in Germany, half a million of whom are Shia,” remarked a female German Shia activist.
Germany is a country with an area of 357 thousand square
kilometers located in Western Europe. The country has a population of nearly 81
million people. It is bordered by Denmark, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria,
Switzerland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg as well as the Netherlands. 67% of the
population of the country is comprised of Christians and Muslims make up 5% of
the German population.
But Muslims are the third largest religious group in
Germany, after Protestants and Catholics. The Muslim population in Germany has
the fastest growing population among the different faiths, with about 40
percent of Muslims in Germany currently under the age of 18. There are dozens
of Shia centers in Germany that have been established and running over the past
three decades.
Additionally, there are also many Shia figures who live
throughout the country, especially in the city of Berlin. Berlin is where the
vast majority of Shia Muslims live. The Islamic Center of Hamburg, the Islamic
Center of Munich, the Islamic Center of Mustafa (PBUH), the Islamic Center of
Afghanistan in Hamburg, the Ahlal-Bayt (A.S) Center in the city of Disburg and
many other centers are Shia institutions in Germany that have various levels of
activity.
What was said above makes it clear that respect for Muslims
is not really unheard of in Europe, yet in a country like France the most
prominent figure in the history of Islam is graphically ridiculed with
impunity, and the president of the country defends such blasphemy instead of
decrying it.
What follows is a short conversation with Maryam Dilki, a
German female Shia activist, regarding the status of the country’s Shia
Muslims.
“Abna: Would you please introduce yourself first?
I am Maryam Dilki. I am 55 years old and I come from
Germany. I would introduce myself as a German woman who converted to Islam 10
years ago and is now retired.
Abna: Can you explain us what religious activities you have?
I used to work at a weekend school for Muslim children. But
I moved to another city, therefore I could not continue.
Abna: What information do you have about German Shia
Muslims?
There are about 5 million Muslims in Germany, half a million
of whom are Shia. Shia Muslims have a lot of freedom of action in Germany. Of
course, the number of indigenous Shia Muslims in Germany is small, and most of
the country’s Shia Muslims are immigrants from other countries. I was converted
to Islam through a Shia group that is active in Germany.
Abna: Would you consider that Wahhabism is active in
Germany?
Yes, the Wahhabis are in Germany and they are very active in
this country and unfortunately they were somewhat successful.
Abna: What is the position of the family institution in
Germany?
Family does not have a good position. People in Germany,
including women, have to work long hours. That is why German women do not like
to have children. Even if they do have children, they send their children to
kindergarten from a very young age.”
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