Islam in Germany - Insights and controversies

Due to various developments, the current debate about Islam in Germany is often emotionally charged. Around 1.4 billion people worldwide profess Islam and around 3.8 to 4.3 million Muslims live in Germany. Muslim communities are part of our society. However, living together sometimes poses complex questions that do not allow for simple answers. The "Islam in Germany" series of events has therefore made precisely this topic the centrepiece of the lectures and discussions. The aim is to discuss and present the topic from different perspectives. Controversies will be addressed and discussed intensively with the speakers.

A cooperation with the Chair of Intercultural Communication at Chemnitz University of Technology and the State Centre for Political Education.

6 October 2015, 7 p.m.

RELIGIOUSLY LEGITIMISED VIOLENCE: THE ISLAMIC STATE IN IRAQ

Lecture and discussion with Dr Christoph Günther, Orient-Institut Leipzig

Dr Christoph Günther examines the emergence of the "Islamic State" (IS), the Iraqi branch of al-Qaeda, which was founded by Abu Mus'ab azZarqawi, the "slaughtering prince", and has been responsible for the most serious bomb attacks in Iraq and Syria since 2004. However, the fact that violence must be used as a necessary means is only one aspect of the group. Its chronological and systematic analysis reveals how an "Islamic State" should be organised and what communicative means it uses to convince the public of the necessity of such a form of society.

Adult education centre in the TIETZ, event hall, admission free

3 November 2015, 7 pm

THE ISLAM DEBATE AND RIGHT-WING POPULISM

Lecture and discussion with Winfried Rust, editor of IZ3W

Right-wing populist parties and "citizen" movements have chosen Islam as their enemy. Social upheavals and crises and the associated fears are channelled and associated with a supposedly foreign culture, Islam. In his lecture, Wilfried Rust analyses the right-wing populist movements and exposes their interfaces with right-wing ideas. He also shows how Islam is being instrumentalised for xenophobic and racist goals.

Adult education centre in the TIETZ, event hall, admission free

24 November 2015, 7 pm

PLEA FOR A CONTEMPORARY ISLAM

Lecture and discussion with Lale Akgün, SPD politician and author

"Islam belongs to Germany" - Chancellor Merkel has also adopted this statement by former Federal President Wulff. Nevertheless, many people have reservations and equate Islam with Sharia law and headscarves. THE Islam does not exist, rather there are many different interpretations of Islam. Lale Akgün is in favour of a liberal Islam in which the Koran is to be interpreted historically and critically. Universal human rights and above all the complete equality of men and women are the foundations of this liberal Islam.

Adult education centre in the TIETZ, event hall, admission free

1 December 2015, 5 p.m.

RADICALISATION PROCESSES AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE APPEAL OF THE SYRIAN CIVIL WAR

Lecture and discussion with Ahmad Mansour, psychologist, Programme Director at the European Foundation for Democracy in Brussels

Despite its murderous activities, the "Islamic State" has a strong appeal to a small group of Muslim youths. They travel to Syria, some of them still minors, and join the IS fight. What are the young people's motivations and why do they turn their backs on our society?

Reichenhainer Straße 90, Weinhold Bau, Room W038, admission free

8 December 2015, 7 pm

ISLAMISATION AND ANTI-MUSLIM RACISM

Lecture and discussion with Ismail Küpeli, political scientist and journalist

There is a high level of approval among the population for racist statements directed against Muslims. In many cases, justified criticism of specific Islamist content and practices is used to construct images of the enemy and legitimise racism in Germany. However, this does not make analysing and criticising Islamism as a reactionary political movement superfluous. Even without anti-Muslim resentment, the existence of Islamist movements and actors can be recognised.

Adult education centre in the TIETZ, event hall, admission free

For further information please contact:

Gerd Kurbjuhn, Head of the Society Department, Chemnitz Adult Education Centre

Telephone: 0371 488-4321

E-mail: kurbjuhn@vhs-chemnitz.de