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Scandal at Kiel University: Gender segregation and Salafism at Islamwoche!
The Islam Week at Kiel University attracts criticism for Salafist content and gender segregation. The university management is investigating the allegations.
Scandal at Kiel University: Gender segregation and Salafism at Islamwoche!
The recent “Islam Week” at the Christian Albrecht University (CAU) in Kiel caused excitement and heated discussions. The action week took place from May 5th to 9th and was organized by the Islamic University Group Kiel (IHG). Some controversy arose because of the seating arrangement and the choice of topic. A speaker who is attributed to Salafism came into particular focus. The allegations have now reached the political level, as the state parliament's education committee will discuss them.
What happened? During the event, the seating arrangement was gender-segregated: men sat at the front, women at the back. There were also reports of separate entrances and anti-Semitic stickers in the rooms. The allegations that emerged led to University Chancellor Claudia Ricarda Meyer already releasing critical information about the event and asking IHG to comment. The university distances itself from content that does not align with its core values and says it had no information about the speakers - only the use of the premises was approved, according to the report World.
Political reactions and the role of university administration
The criticism of the event also has political consequences. FDP parliamentary group leader Christopher Vogt is calling for a comprehensive investigation into the incidents and has submitted a request for the education committee meeting on July 10th. The CDU parliamentary group has also already threatened consequences if the allegations are confirmed. Prime Minister Daniel Günther commented on the events and described the incidents as “unbearable”.
The situation is also viewed critically within the university. Vice President Catherine Cleophas explained that the Salafist messages and gender segregation do not fit the CAU's values. The university management is planning a conversation with IHG to clarify the allegations. However, so far there has been no personal contact with IHG members. They have announced that a statement will be published shortly, which was not yet available at the time of going to press.
Reactions from the student body
The student body reacted to the incidents with concern. Asta board members are calling for comprehensive clarification and expressing concerns about structural problems and the university's underfunding. In addition, rumors were rejected that there was also gender segregation at regular university lectures.
The situation remains tense for IHG itself. She emphasized that gender segregation at the event was designed as a “voluntary offer” and firmly distanced herself from any form of anti-Semitism. Regardless, the criticism that comes from numerous quarters remains.
In summary, it can be said that the “Islam Week” at the CAU created a feeling of heat that was not only limited to the university itself, but also reached the political arena. The investigation is ongoing and everyone involved hopes that the facts will be clarified quickly in order to get the conflict under control. Further information and decisions are forthcoming.