New Study on Muslims and Integration in Germany

Berlin: A significant minority of Muslims in Germany i.e., 48 % are skeptical about integration. 52% of non-German Muslims favoured  integration. Those who expressed skepticism, preferred to live in separation from the German mainstream. These figures change slightly when taking into account German Muslims: While, then, 78% of Muslim favour integration, 22% prefer a more separatist approach. Overall, about 24% of non-German Muslims reject integration, question Western values, and tend to accept violence. These  are the highlights from a report released by the Federal Ministry of the Interior in March 2012. The study has triggered intense debate  about Muslims and the role of Islam in Germany. The study, entitled The Daily Life of Young Muslims in Germany, surveyed Muslims  between 14 and 32, both German citizens  and non-citizens. In addition, several group interviews were conducted with young living in  Germany, Internet forums were analyzed, and TV news reports evaluated. The aim of the study  was to find out how Muslims living in  Germany view German culture as well as their attitudes towards integration. Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich expressed his concern about the study’s findings and emphasised that those who reject democratic values and constitutionally enshrined freedoms do not have a future in Germany.  Similarly, Hans- Peter Uhl, domestic affairs spokesman of the government’s CDU faction, said the  high number of Muslims who refuse to integrate was alarming. The rejection to integrate may provide a fertile ground for religious  fanaticism and terrorism. While many CDU politicians were concerned about the study’s findings, the Liberal Democrats criticized the  study for producing “headlines”, but no actual findings beyond the religious commitment of young Muslims, which cannot automatically be connected with violence. Furthermore, Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger (FDP) questioned the study’s validity  and significance. Green-Party politician Volker Beck went even further and criticized the Interior Ministry for viewing Muslims solely  in the light of the potential danger they pose ““ according to Beck,  this alludes to the Interior Minister’s lacking willingness to fully integrate them. Germany’s Muslim communities have also expressed criticism. Kenan Kolat, for instance, head of the Turkish  community in  Germany, accused Friedrich of populist behaviour. Instead of publishing the study’s findings, they should have been  discussed during the Islam Conference. The Chair of the Central Council of Muslims, Aiman Mazyek, by comparison, was more  concerned about the potential radicalisation of young Muslims. He called on politicians for support preventive work more strongly.