https://www.bz-berlin.de/berlin/immer-mehr-schueler-fordern-einen-gebetsraum
Prayers to Mecca. Demand at schools has been increasing since October 7th. “In all types of schools, in different districts,” says Education Senator Katharina Günther-Wünsch (40).
“When we think about a prayer room, we have to include all religious communities,” said the CDU politician.
Senate recommendations have now been sent to all schools:
► There is no right to be completely spared from foreign expressions of faith.
► Do not give in to a prayer request during class time. It is reasonable to refer students to break times.
► School peace must not be disturbed through prayer, regardless of whether the person praying is to blame.
► The school does not have to create space for prayers.
The senator: “Where it leads to conflicts or where the prayer room is to be used in a missionary manner, the schools have the opportunity to put a stop to demands.”
The Muslim student Yunus M. (then 14) from Wedding’s Diesterweg-Gymnasium made national headlines. He had prayed in the school hallway, which the principal forbade him to do at the time. He successfully sued the Berlin administrative court in 2008 and was allowed to roll out his prayer mat in the computer room at lunchtime.
But the Senate then won before the Higher Administrative Court, which the highest judges in Leipzig confirmed. Despite religious freedom, the verdict was made in the name of school freedom.
Prayers to Mecca. Demand at schools has been increasing since October 7th. “In all types of schools, in different districts,” says Education Senator Katharina Günther-Wünsch (40).
“When we think about a prayer room, we have to include all religious communities,” said the CDU politician.
Senate recommendations have now been sent to all schools:
► There is no right to be completely spared from foreign expressions of faith.
► Do not give in to a prayer request during class time. It is reasonable to refer students to break times.
► School peace must not be disturbed through prayer, regardless of whether the person praying is to blame.
► The school does not have to create space for prayers.
The senator: “Where it leads to conflicts or where the prayer room is to be used in a missionary manner, the schools have the opportunity to put a stop to demands.”
The Muslim student Yunus M. (then 14) from Wedding’s Diesterweg-Gymnasium made national headlines. He had prayed in the school hallway, which the principal forbade him to do at the time. He successfully sued the Berlin administrative court in 2008 and was allowed to roll out his prayer mat in the computer room at lunchtime.
But the Senate then won before the Higher Administrative Court, which the highest judges in Leipzig confirmed. Despite religious freedom, the verdict was made in the name of school freedom.
