The Christian Albrechts University in Kiel is facing criticism following its recent “Islam Week,” held in early May and organised by the Islamic Student Group.
Participants reported gender-segregated seating, including separate entrances and distinct seating areas for men and women. Women had to sit at the back, men at the front.
In addition, visitors had spotted anti-Semitic stickers on laptops.
A speaker, Sertac Obadas of the IMAN organisation—classified by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency as Salafist—also triggered concern.
University Chancellor Claudia Ricarda Meyer stated that the institution “clearly distances itself from any content that is not compatible with the basic values of the university,” and confirmed that an investigation has been launched.
Centre-right CDU politician Wolfgang Bosbach sharply criticised the delay in addressing the matter, warning against promoting extremists under the guise of religious tolerance.
Just imagine for a moment that some obscure right-wing university group had organised an event with a right-wing extremist speaker and then made two entrances, one for Germans, one for non-Germans. All hell would break loose in Germany.
Schleswig-Holstein’s CDU minister-president Daniel Günther and the liberal FDP’s Wolfgang Kubicki have called for action, saying the matter must be clarified as quickly as possible.
At the request of the FDP, the education committee of the state parliament will deal with the matter on July 10.
