German bishop calls for Islam classes in all state schools

The head of Germany's Protestant Church has called for Islam to be taught in all state schools across the country as a way to prevent young Muslims from being drawn to fundamentalism.

Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, said teaching "extensive" Islam classes in German schools would enable Muslim students to adopt a critical approach to their own religion.

In an interview with the Heilbronner Stimme newspaper, Bishop Bedford-Strohm said all faiths in Germany must be compatible with the country's democratic constitution.

"Tolerance, religious freedom and freedom of conscience must apply to all religions," he said.

Bishop Bedford-Strohm said Islamic associations in Germany should be responsible for the Islamic courses and they could organise themselves to a "clear partner" for the German state.

Five per cent of the country's population are Muslim, totalling some four million people.

Of Germany's 16 federal states, seven offer some form of Islamic religion class in their schools.

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