German Education Union Calls for Nationwide Islamic Religious Education to Promote Inclusion and Counter Extremism

German Education Union Calls for Nationwide Islamic Religious Education to Promote Inclusion and Counter Extremism
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Germany’s Education and Science Workers’ Union (GEW) has called for the nationwide implementation of Islamic religious education in schools, emphasizing its potential to foster religious understanding, promote social inclusion, and counter extremism.

Union head Gerhard Brand told Deutschland media network that structured and academically grounded Islamic education is essential for enabling students to explore their faith while also learning about other religions.

He urged policymakers to take immediate action by expanding these programs across all federal states and ensuring the necessary resources, including qualified teaching staff and funding.

Currently, some German states—such as North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria—offer Islamic religious classes, but Brand stressed the importance of evaluating and enhancing these existing efforts to create a consistent, nationwide model.

Stefan Dull, head of the German Teachers’ Association, echoed the call, arguing that state-approved and locally trained teachers can help prevent radicalization, which may otherwise be influenced by family environments or online preachers.

With an estimated 5.5 million Muslims in Germany, the initiative reflects a growing demand for inclusive education policies that support religious diversity and integration.