After Imam's appearance in the Grey Wolf Shirt, consequences loom
The issue of the far-right Grey Wolves has been a problem in Germany for years. Due to the EM, this topic is currently particularly in focus. A Berlin Imam's appearance may lead to consequences for the nationwide, state-funded Imam training.
The appearance of a Berlin Imam could have consequences for the nationwide, state-funded Imam training. The Imam Ender Cetin was spotted at a football event in Berlin wearing a Grey Wolves-related T-shirt. Grey Wolves are described as supporters of the far-right and sometimes violent "Ülkücü-Movement". Their enemies are alleged enemies of Turkishness, such as Alevites, Armenians, Jews, Greeks, or Kurds.
A spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of the Interior stated to the Tagesspiegel that they are taking the hints regarding the Berlin Imam's appearance very seriously. In the funding of the training programs at the Islam College Germany (IKD), it concerns a model project. The Federal Ministry of the Interior will discuss the matter with the Kolleg and "regarding the possibility of adjusting and/or expanding the selection process of trainees and/or the training in consultation with the IKD, in addition to existing contents, on the topics of Right-wing extremism and Ultranationalism."
Similarly, it seems to be the case in the Lower Saxony Ministry for Science and Culture. A ministry spokesperson stated to the Tagesspiegel that they will "discuss in the next project meeting whether the selection process of the colleagues and the curriculum needs to be adjusted or expanded."
Topic in Focus due to EM
Bulent Ucar, scientific director of the Islam College and director of the Institute for Islamic Theology at the University of Osnabrück, expressed surprise over the appearance of the graduate. In an interview with the Tagesspiegel, Ucar emphasized: "We make great efforts to carefully select the people who are trained at the Islam College. There are around 150 to 200 of them - it is possible that we do not know everything about a person."
Regarding the specific individual, Ucar added: "I would not have expected that from Mr. Cetin." Whether Cetin wore the T-shirt without political intent is questionable for Ucar.
The Grey Wolves movement is monitored by the Federal Constitution Protection in Germany and has thousands of supporters. A ban has not been imposed for years. There have also been meetings between German politicians, for example from the SPD, with Grey Wolves supporters. In Turkey, the AKP of President Erdogan works with the political wing of the Grey Wolves, the MHP.
The topic recently received special attention after the "Wolf's Salute" of the Turkish player Merih Demiral at the European Championship, which resulted in a suspension. Massive Turkish fans identified with Demiral and showed the same right-wing extremist gesture. "The Wolf's Salute stands for violence," said Middle East expert Kamal Sido from the "Society for Threatened Peoples" in an interview with ntv.de.
The discussion about Right-wing extremism in the context of the Berlin Imam's Grey Wolves T-shirt has also sparked interest in the topic of Islam and politics. The controversy surrounding the Grey Wolves, a far-right organization known for their support of the Ulkucu-Movement, highlights the complexity of balancing cultural diversity and political ideologies, particularly when it comes to state-funded Imam training.
