Since Hamas terror: More and more Muslim pupils in Berlin demand prayer rooms

Prayers towards Mecca. Demand at schools has been increasing since October 7. “In all types of schools, in different districts,” says Senator for Education Katharina Günther-Wünsch (40).

“When we think about a prayer room, we have to include all religious communities,” says 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 lesson time. It is reasonable to refer pupils to break times.

► School peace must not be disturbed by prayer, regardless of whether the person praying is to blame.

► The school does not have to create a space for prayer.

The senator: “Where it causes disagreements or the prayer room is to be used in a missionary manner, schools have the opportunity to put a stop to demands.”

The Muslim pupil Yunus M. (then 14) from Diesterweg-Gymnasium in Wedding made headlines across Germany. He had prayed in the school corridor, which the headmistress forbade him to do at the time. He successfully appealed to the Berlin Administrative Court in 2008 and was allowed to roll out his prayer mat in the computer room at lunchtime.

However, the Senate then won at the Higher Administrative Court, which was confirmed by the highest judges in Leipzig. Despite religious freedom, the judgement was made in the name of academic freedom.

Immer mehr Schüler fordern einen Gebetsraum (bz-berlin.de)

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