VBE Pushes for Islamic Education in German Schools to Combat Bullying

The Verband Bildung und Erziehung (VBE) advocates for comprehensive Islamic religious education in German schools to combat religious bullying and foster understanding among students. VBE Chairman Gerhard Brand emphasizes the importance of allowing all faiths to be represented in schools, urging political action to establish such initiatives.

He calls for an expansion of existing programs, highlighting the need for continuous evaluation and optimization. Similarly, Stefan Düll, President of the German Teachers' Association, supports education as a countermeasure to fundamentalism, suggesting that qualified teachers can provide valuable perspectives.

Currently, the implementation of Islamic education varies across states like Bavaria and Hesse. Experts also stress the necessity for schools to be better equipped to handle religiously motivated bullying and promote integration, particularly for students from non-German-speaking households.