Germany: First university department of Islamic theology

Germany: First university department of Islamic theology



Via M&C:
Germany, home to 4 million Muslims, officially opened its first university department of Islamic theology Monday, with 36 students enrolled for bachelor's degrees.

The government of Chancellor Angela Merkel faced resistance from conservatives to funding the department, the first of four around the country, but argued that graduates would be the best antidote to self-taught 'hate preachers.'

Education Minister Annette Schavan, who is herself a graduate in Catholic theology, said at the opening the school was a 'milestone for integration' of Muslims who make up 5 per cent of the population.

(source)