DORTMUND, Germany — It was the second week of Islam class, and the teacher, Mansur Seddiqzai, stood in front of a roomful of Muslim teens and pointed to the sentence on the chalkboard behind him: “Islam does not belong to Germany.”
He scanned the room and asked, “Who said this?”
Hands shot up. “The AfD?” one student with a navy blue headscarf said, referring to Germany’s far-right anti-refugee party. “No,” Seddiqzai shook his head. “Seehofer,” tried another. “Yes, and who is that?” “A minister,” said a third.
Finally, someone put it all together, identifying Horst Seehofer, the head of Bavaria’s conservative Christian Social Union and Chancellor Angela Merkel’s interior minister and coalition partner, who has on multiple occasions threatened to torpedo her government over the issue of immigration.
“Yes, that’s right,” Seddiqzai said, turning to the others. “And what do you think? Is he correct?”
The article on teaching Islam to Muslims in German schools starts right off the bat by affixing labels to the AfD party: “far-right” and “anti-refugee.” The party is not “far-right” in any meaningful sense, unless of course being critical of Islam is enough to make a person or a party “far right.” Nor is the party “anti-refugee,” but rather, “anti-Muslim refugees.” There is a difference.
Then comes the remark made by Horst Seehofer, a Bavarian politician and a putative poster-child for intolerance. He is quoted as saying “Islam does not belong to Germany.” We are meant to be offended by this remark, not to stop and consider what Seehofer meant. The teacher, Mansur Seddiqzai, might have told his students that Seehofer had both a historical and an ideological justification for his remarks. First, Muslims were never part of Germany’s history until the 1960s, with the influx of Turkish gastarbeiter, male guest workers, who came to work in West Germany’s mines and factories, sent money home, and upon retirement most moved back to their families in Turkey. It is only in the last few decades that vast numbers of Muslim migrants, including families, have been allowed in to Germany, with the consequences we can all see. Second, ideologically Islam was never part of Germany’s religious, political, or intellectual history, but rightly regarded as an alien creed. Third, Seehofer may also have been thinking of how Muslims themselves are taught to regard non-Muslims — that is, with contempt and hostility — and further told to keep their distance from them, not to befriend them, for “they are friends only with each other.”
Mansur Seddiqzai could have asked his students whether Seehofer might have been thinking of the Qur’anic verse “Unbelievers are the most vile of created beings.” No doubt many of them have never read or heard that verse, but it could provide a starting point, provoke a real discussion, about what Islam teaches about Unbelievers and why Seehofer might have said what he said. That one verse could then lead to a wider discussion of what is written elsewhere in the Qur’an about non-Muslims, none of it friendly.
In a country where the debate over “who belongs?” has deeply divided Merkel’s government, fueled massive demonstrations and propelled the rise of anti-immigrant populism, these 16- and 17-year-olds confront versions of that question every day, in the headlines and in their personal lives: Do I belong, too? Can I be German and a Muslim?”
Public schools in some of Germany’s most populous cities are helping such students come up with answers in a counterintuitive setting: Islam class.
The classes, taught by Muslims and intended for Muslim students, were first launched in the early 2000s and now are offered as electives in nine of Germany’s 16 states, by more than 800 public primary and secondary schools, according to the research network Mediendienst Integration. They include lessons on the Koran, the history of Islam, comparative religion and ethics. Often, discussions shift to the students’ identity struggles or feelings of alienation.
These classes apparently include the ”history of Islam.” What might be included in such a history? The faith expanded inexorably through warfare and conquest, but it is doubtful that the Jihad, or rather the many Jihads conducted by Muslims for 1,400 years, will be examined in these classes, taught by a Muslim to Muslim students. Instead, I suspect that bland phrases will be used to hide a bloody reality. One can well imagine, for example, a sentence like this (lifted from a textbook): “Within the first century of its existence, Islam expanded throughout the Middle East and North Africa.” “Expanded” — yes, but how? There is likely to be no discussion of how Muslim conquerors ruthlessly subjugated many different lands and peoples, or of how they offered those they conquered exactly three choices: death, conversion to Islam, or permanent status as dhimmis, subject to many onerous conditions, including payment of the Jizyah, a tax that ensured freedom from attack by Muslims.
PATRICIA KOENIG says
Germans are paying for their own destruction. So sad!
dan christenen says
Figures from 2015:
Taxpayers annual expense for every migrant person (average):
Syrians = $44,000
Somalians = $32,000
Libanese = $23,000
Iraqui = $22,000
Afghans = $22,000
Source: The Danish ministry of finance analysis of “Migrants net contribution to the public finances in 2015, published february 2018.
These enormous costs are probably on the same level all over Europe.
That’s why “Islam does not belong to Denmark”, as well as anywhere else in Europe. Islam is a redundant expense for European taxpayers and nothing else. It kills us economically.
Stefan cel Mare says
In the beginning..in the end, it kills us literally.
mortimer says
Dan, when you had the value of housing subsidies, medical care, training, social workers, policing, etc., the cost per person is probably closer to $80K. Plus, most of them do not add to the economy or pay taxes as wage-earners.
Roger woodhouse says
Muslims are taught that they are superior to us ‘kaffirs’ so they expect to be paid for by us.They are not here to work and contribute to our society.They are here to bleed us dry.
gravenimage says
Jizya.
BC says
As I said a couple of days ago, importing migrants the vast majority of them unskilled and virtually unemployable (even if the are inclined to work) is simply placing an additional burden on already overstreched social welfare schemes Statistics from many countries how that migrants who have been in EU countires for many years sometimes decades have never worked and in the case of women particularly have not mastered even basic use of the language of the hosts. Yet they have produced large numbers of kids and imported members of their extended family as well. All this supported by the tax payer free schooling, (usually in religious based schools), free health care and upon ‘retirement’ pensions despite never having payed anything into the system.
Yet ‘economists’ tell us they are making a ‘contribution’ to the economy and society!
gravenimage says
Their being unskilled is the least of it. If Muslims were sincere about becoming citizens of the West, they could learn. But really, their main goal is to take over.
Walter Sieruk says
Such an “Islam c’ass”‘ in Germany or better termed an Islamic indoctrination class in Germany Is part of the ambitious Muslim scheme for the whole of Europe , nation by nation,City by city, Piece by piece, ,By “hook or by crook” they strive to take Europe.
For one of the main goals of many jihad –minded Muslims is the Islamic conquest of the nations of Europe. One of the methods of achieving Muslin object by not necessary by the means of the violent and deadly “militant” jihad but by the subtle, sly, subversive and insidious way of engaging in that which is known as the stealth jihad. This type of jihad for the advancement and control of Islam in the European countries is to infiltrate into, as in gain, access to, the governmental institutions of the nations of Europe .
This is a large and great part of the grand scheme of stealth jihadist agenda to enhance and gain strong and then stronger influence and then supreme control of Islam over the whole continent of Europe. As on scholar on Islam and the Muslim zeal -filled intentions for Islam had revealed that “Of all the continents of the World, Europe is probably the number one target by Muslim strategists who are seeking world dominance…” [1] of course ,this author means “world dominance. , Not for those specific Muslim themselves but “world dominance for Islam.” Likewise, another scholar r and expert on this subject wrote exposed that “Since the stealth jihad is more advance in Europe then in the United States, the situation there is more dire….Muslims are accomplishing today what they have tried but failed to do for over a millennium : conquer Europe.” [2] Most intelligent people wil well understand that “As Europe goes ,so will in time, go north America.
Further, about this Muslim scheme of the stealth jihad otherwise called the Muslim method of Islamic Gradualism to enact Sharia law in many different countries of Europe is in contrast to the way of the violent jihad or also called the militant jihad .This non-violent form of the jihad for Islam is a very sly, insidious, subtle and deceptive way of working for the advancement of Islam.
This Muslim scheme for achieving the goal of the Islamic agenda is as, many times, as subtly effective as it is demonically clever. Furthermore, this Islamic gradualism, in some ways, is very similar to the instruction printed in the book entitled THE ART OF WAR by Sun Tzu. Which reads “At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to opposes you”
In addition, those scheming stealth jihadist /Muslims who attempt to have Sharia law set up in the countries of Europe do also engage in the doctrine of the Islamic doctrine of Taqiyya which is very insidious. Taqyyia is the jihad dogma that deception is a good thing to do as long as it’s done for the advancement of Islam. Nevertheless, the God of the Bible “condemns those who devise wicked schemes…” Proverbs 12:11. [N.I.V.] Likewise, Proverbs 12:20 teaches “Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil.”
[1] How Islam Plans to Change the World by Willian Wagner , page 195.
[2] STEALTH JIHAD by Robert Spencer , page 270.
mortimer says
FIRST LESSON in Islam class … WHO ARE THE KUFAAR THAT WE SHOULD NEUTRALIZE FIRST?
Answer: We’ll get the AFD first!
Hmmm… sounds like training in vigilantism, doesn’t it.
Islam lessons are for TRAINING the NEXT GENERATION OF LOCAL JIHADISTS.
SECOND LESSON: taqiyya: how to convince the kufaar that we are NOT planning to kill them… (ha, ha…it’s quite easy, actually).
gravenimage says
Spot on, Mortimer–that’s just what I was going to note.
mortimer says
Recommending HISTORY OF JIHAD by Robert Spencer for the authorized curriculum.
Benedict says
Islam belongs to Germany to the same extent Germany belongs to Islam, and that can only be brought about through expropriation and theft.
gravenimage says
+1
Guy Forester says
I wonder how much german history and civics are taught to in both the public and private schools. I wonder how much social Christianity is taught in the church related schools as opposed to traditional Christian theology and social responsibility.
gravenimage says
Good questions.
gravenimage says
Hugh Fitzgerald: Islam Classes In Germany (Part One)
………………
I see this class is off to an ugly start, targeting the enemies of Jihad.
And German taxpayers are funding this.
epistemology says
The first Turks who came to Germany were Kemalists, secular people. Regarding Islam the 1960s and 70s were a wonderful time in Western Europe and in in some Islamic countries as well, such as the Maghreb nations. People were free, the mosques were empty and nobody cared about sharia. A close friend of mine spent a very nice holiday in Morocco as late as 1982.
But everything changed after Khomeini seized power in Iran in 1979 and the Saudis proselytized first only in Islamic countries later in Western Europe as well. Today the situation is absolutely abominable. These Maghreb nations are a breeding ground for terrorists and in Wetern Europe the politicians, authorities and elites lick muzzie butts. It’s digusting.
Indiana Tom says
“Islam does not belong to Germany.” True.
Germany belongs to Islam. True.
Wellington says
There is no upside to Islam in Germany or in any Western country. And this assertion is way past something so banal and inconsequential as Muslim workers filling in a temporary economic need here or there in a Western nation. Oh yeah, way past this, so no need to go there.
Bottom line: Islam and Western Civilization are not in the least compatible. Hey, just reverse matters for a change, i.e., instead of regularly engaging in how Islam can “fit in” in the West (N.B., it can’t), how about how the West can “fit in” in Islamic nations, Iran and Saudi Arabia as examples?
But this last query is not asked. Hmmm. The very absence of this is itself telling, damning—and yet another warning to the West that Islam, anyway you configure this religion, is only, and finally, inimical to everything that has made the West the West over the course of not only centuries but millennia. Yeah, anyone, take it from here.
epistemology says
Spot on Wellington, as usual. Islam is incompatible with any civilization, as they don’t live according to the golden rule. If a Jew, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Confucian, agnostic etc. commits a crime it’s against their religion or philosophy. But in Islam it’s sanctioned by their law, you’re allowed to rape nine year old girls and kill all the infidels that you encounter.
As for Dortmund that’s located in NRW North Rhine Westphalia, a horrible state in Germany. The muzzies kill sheep in corridors or in the street for their abominable sacrifice holiday, head scarves and full veils are everywhere and even at the doors of pharmacies you find Arabic writing. This isn’t Europe anymore.
Lot’s of love to you and yours my friend take care..
.
dan christenen says
Every time I read about “Islam Classes In a civilized country”, my memory recalls scenes from zombie movies. Islamists behave like these zombies, empty-eyed ugly robotic beings, programmed in the brain to suck the blood of living fellow men. Zombies themselves are without personal identity, they behave like anonymous hungry stormtroopers – without soul, thought or compassion.
There is just so much peace and love in islamists as in your worst conception of zombies.
Terra Nova says
That is a dumb question, actually a stupid question.
How can you ask this question if you came here to conquer us all, and you destroyed a lot of things, you rape the children, you beat women , you stone them, you flog them, your Taqyya . You come here with your Sharia laws and everything on the German taxpayers money. You drain us economically.
Your men can marry 3 wives and you can have 22 children and more? You ought to be kidding, but I feel sorry for the women and children.
After all you did, your beheadings, etc, you can never be a German or any European any more, may be a German as you are the same kind of people. It is in your 1400 years of in breeder blood, + it did something horrible to your brain, but pls stay inside your countries until all that has worked itself out and that will be a lot more years then the 1400.
Islam will never belong to or IN Germany.
IanB says
There are parallel classes promoting Islam as the “Religion of Peace” for English non-muslim children in English schools.They are indoctrinated by leftist teachers in the socialist education system. Dhimmi-Dawah in action. Children are taken on visits to mosques, taught muslim prayers and made to dress up in muslim rags. I ensure my grandchildren are armed with dawah antidote information. Unfortunately their parents are opposed to my “Islamophobia”, but the children get it – they see how the muslim children behave towards them in school with arrogance and even intimidation.
IanB says
… even by shouting in capital letters.
alex Reid says
Why not teach them what a load of crap Islam is? Show them FGM, raping & sodomising of young boys /girls as culture. Show them where on IQ’s the Muslim world stands – an average of 80 & the developed World is up at 100. Show them how the Middle East & Arab North African countries survive on Aid from the despised Western World. In one UK Madrassa, they teach Muslim kids, Hindus drink cow’s urine! On youtube.com show them the 9minute clip: Islamic School Science Education Failure. Then tell them they are the superior beings on this planet. Put up on one side of the whiteboard the list of scientific claims of the Koran. On the other side put up the truth! Absolutely disgusting. If Muslims knew the truth, they’d wipe out Islam. The entire World would be much better off! Pathetic Appeasement CR*P!!
Zenobia van Dongen says
“Islam does not belong TO Germany” is a mistranslation. The correct rendering is “Islam does not belong IN Germany.” To “belong TO Germany” means being Germany’s property, being OWNED by Germany.