According to the German constitution, Muslims do have a right to religious education for their children under the supervision of the state, just as Christians do. Now, for the first time, German schools will have a textbook for Islamic religion classes
In
late August 2008, the Kösel Verlag publishing house presented its “Saphir” textbook for fifth and sixth grade pupils.
The book was
prepared by three distinguished religious educators – Lamya Kaddor,
Rabeya Müller, and Harry Harun Behr.
“Saphir”, the textbook for Islamic religion classes, presents
the fundamental issues of Islam in 15 chapters for fifth and sixth
grade pupils. Themes include the concept of God, the Prophet Mohammed,
and the structure of the Koran, as well as issues such as the rights of
children and social responsibility.
Editions for grades seven to
ten are currently being prepared. The graphic layout of “Saphir” is
excellent. The textbook is aimed at the world of the pupil and invites
them to explore the Muslim faith.
“Saphir” thereby stands at the
forefront of contemporary religious education. For Islam in Germany,
the new schoolbook is a further step away from the fringes and into the
mainstream of society.
The book “does not aim to educate pupils
to believe, but rather to make responsible decisions concerning faith,”
stressed Harry Harun Behr from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg.
Behr, a German convert to Islam, teaches aspiring religion teachers at
the Interdisciplinary Centre for Islamic Religious Education.
Argomenti: Libri