Necla Kelek on mosques

Plans for construction of a central mosque designed by renowned church architect Paul Böhm have triggered a dispute in the German city of Cologne. Sociologist Necla Kelek explains her reservations about the plans. "Even according to Muslim interpretation, mosques are not sacred buildings, like churches or synagogues, but 'multifunctional buildings'. This is often left unmentioned, as is the fact that Islam is not a religion. Islam conceives of itself not only as a spiritual view of the world but as a world view that sees everyday life, politics and belief as forming one inseparable unit. There is no binding theological teaching. In this respect many Islamic associations in Germany often function as religious parties, as political representation groups. This is why the issue of building mosques is not a matter of religious freedom but a political issue."

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