Muslims also have the right to religious freedom

Does Islam belong to Germany? In short: yes. The question has been answered since the speech by former Federal President Christian Wulff on the Day of German Unity in 2010. Around 5.5 million Muslims live in Germany, a third of them in North Rhine-Westphalia. There are around 3,000 mosques, of which only about one percent have the muezzin called to prayer over a loudspeaker. The call of the muezzin was heard for the first time in 1985 in the city of Düren. Permission for this had to be fought for in court.

The cathedral city of Cologne now wants to allow calls to prayer from all 45 mosques in a pilot project. Mayor Henriette Reker spoke of a “sign of respect”, of religious freedom and diversity. In order to counter the objections to be expected, the project was given a number of conditions.

It is initially limited to two years, the muezzin may only call the believers to prayer for a maximum of five minutes on Fridays between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. , The mosque community must name a contact person for questions or complaints. An evaluation takes place after the end of the project period. After that, a final decision will be made.

For religious freedom, see Basic Law, Article 4, Paragraph 2

Is the same law applicable to everyone? Are church bells and Islamic calls to prayer on the same level? The ringing of bells is a sound signal without words, the call to prayer is a creed. It begins in Arabic with the words: “Allah is great. I testify that there is no deity but Allah. I testify that Mohammed is Allah’s Messenger. Hurry to prayer. ”Both the ringing of bells and the muezzin call are also expressions of presence. “We are here” is the message of the believers.

The difference between a sound signal and a creed does not justify the right to unequal treatment. In the Basic Law, Article 4, Paragraph 2, it says: “The undisturbed practice of religion is guaranteed.” This affects the muezzin call even more clearly than the ringing of bells, which is often associated with secular functions such as the announcement of the time.

Now it is basically possible to appeal against the bells and muezzin calls to the negative religious freedom. It is also part of the Basic Law: “Nobody may be forced to perform a church act or ceremony, or to participate in religious exercises or to use a religious oath.” Religiousness in Public Space. Putting negative religious freedom in opposition to bells and calls to prayer has little prospect of success.

There is a rest period from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

However, certain limits of reasonableness must be observed. This is stipulated by the “Law on the Protection against Harmful Environmental Impacts from Air Pollution, Noise, Vibration and Similar Processes” (Federal Immission Control Act). This means that a certain volume must not be exceeded, and there is a quiet time from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Church bells should be as silent as possible at night. Freedom of religion does not justify damage to health caused by disturbance of the peace.

Against the argument about bells and muezzin calls are unsuitable arguments hostile to religion – “Christians are child molesters”, “Muslims are homophobic”. Even the reference to the religious character of a society, its tradition and acceptance of diversity cannot override civil liberties. The call to prayer may at first seem strange to non-Muslims, even threatening to some, and it announces a reality to which some prefer to turn a blind eye. It offends and disturbs. That’s the way it is. No reason to panic.

The muezzin call upsets and disturbs, no need to panic

120,000 Muslims live in Cologne, 12 percent of the population. 250,000 to 300,000 Muslims live in Berlin, around 9 percent of the population. Why should it be possible in the cathedral city what the capital doesn’t dare to do? Is it just the fear of the headwind?

A majority of Germans (61 percent) are against general permission for the Islamic call to prayer. That was the result of a survey by the social research institute “Insa-Consulere” last year. But when it comes to freedom – in this case freedom to practice one’s religion – majorities have to be taken into account. But you shouldn’t have the last word.