A prominent Berlin university hospital is under fire after a Muslim student group hosted gender-segregated events on its campus, raising fresh concerns over growing tolerance for illiberal practices at German universities. The events, which took place at the prestigious university hospital Charité, involved a Muslim student group called Medislam Collective. Men were seated on one side of the room, and women on the other—without exceptions. Meanwhile, the university has remained silent.
Neither the Islamic group nor the administration of Charité has been willing to clarify whether the segregation is a matter of free choice or an imposed rule. While similar practices at other German universities have at times been described by organisers as “spontaneous” or “voluntary,” the silence of Charité could be interpreted as a tacit form of approval.
This is not the first time something like this has happened in Germany. In early May, the University of Kiel hosted a controversial “Islam Week,” also organized by a Muslim student group. According to witnesses, men and women were required to use different entrances and sit separately, with women relegated to the back rows of the auditorium. Antisemitic stickers were also spotted, and a speaker with links to Salafism took part in the event. Public outrage was widespread, but official action came late. Only after political pressure, particularly from the CDU and the FDP, was it announced that the regional parliament’s education committee would discuss the case on July 10.
Meanwhile, in Berlin, the Medislam Collective continues to promote openly segregationist activities. In June, for instance, they organized an ‘Activity Day for Brothers’ with sports and a picnic. In another social media post, only women were invited to an Islamic calligraphy workshop. In November, they held an event titled ‘Run for Gaza,’” the proceeds of which were meant to go to Asunya, an organization that claims to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza. The event included a speech by influencer Abed Hassan, known for publicly downplaying the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7, 2023, calling them “unproven.” Once again, Charité refused to answer journalists’ questions.
This situation has raised concerns about a possible double standard. The rectorate of Kiel stated that it “clearly distances itself from any content contrary to the values of the university.” However, in reality, such statements fall short. As politician Wolfgang Bosbach warned, one cannot “promote extremism under the umbrella of religious freedom.”
