Germany puts Islamic prayer schedule on signposts for first time

The new sign displays the time of Muslim prayer. Photo: Penzberg Mosque

The authorities of the Bavarian city of Penzberg have, for the first time in the history of Germany, placed information about Muslim prayer schedules on official signposts at the entrance to the city, reports the Christian Daily.

On a municipal sign, next to a mosque symbol, the initiators placed Friday prayer times for both winter and summer periods. The mayor made the decision to introduce this innovation following a joint meeting with spiritual leaders of the communities. The innovation provoked protests on social media. Unknown individuals completely painted over the mosque sign with black paint three days after it was installed.

Benjamin Idriz, Imam of the Islamic Community, celebrates the decision as "a sign of recognition, of equal treatment towards religious communities and of freedom of religious practice." According to N-TV, he added: “Precisely at a time when prejudice, hatred and polarisation are on the rise, these visible signs convey an important message: people of different faiths are, quite naturally, part of our society and are treated with respect."

In the wake of the controversy, the news agency Idea commissioned a survey which showed that 58% of 2,000 respondents in Germany were against including mosque prayer times on official signage. 22% were in favour and 16% said they had no opinion.

Sociologists recorded the largest number of opponents among non-believers, where 67 percent of citizens expressed opposition. Among Protestants, 65 percent opposed the innovation, while among Catholics the figure was 55 percent. Only young people under the age of 29 approved of the initiative by a majority vote.

As the UOJ reported, Germany opened the first faculty of Islamic theology in Western Europe.

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