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Photo: DPA

Bremen grants holidays to Muslim workers

Published: 1 Dec 12 09:16 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/national/20121201-46499.html

The region of Bremen in northern Germany on Friday said it would be the second of the country's 16 states to recognise Muslim holidays.

"I am delighted because Islam and Muslims are part of our city and part of our life," said the mayor of the city state, Jens Böhrnsen, after signing the deal with representatives of the local Muslim community.

The agreement signed reflects "mutual recognition and respect of mutual values," added the mayor.

The deal will allow members of the community to take days off work for Muslim celebrations, although they will not receive paid holiday.

It needs to be ratified in the Bremen state parliament, as well as by city authorities. Two weeks ago, the city state of Hamburg signed a similar agreement.

Under that accord, Muslims in Hamburg will have the right to three religious holidays but will have to take them as part of their overall holiday entitlement as is the case for some regionally observed Christian holidays.

Until that point, it was up to employers to decide whether to grant Muslim staff religious days off.

AFP/jlb

What do you think? Leave your comment below.


Your comments about this article:

10:11 December 1, 2012 by The-ex-pat
In principle, fine, but how do Muslim workers go to work when a company is closed due to a German religious holiday. I just can't see my boss letting me have Ashura, or Laylat ul Isra and Miraj for example to even things up............
10:24 December 1, 2012 by Steve1949
Fine. When do they include American holidays?
11:19 December 1, 2012 by ChrisRea
Steve1949 is right. Just because not everyone is aware that Americanism is a religion, it is not fair that American holidays are not included. Especially as there is a huge American community in Bremen, possibly forming a majority.
11:23 December 1, 2012 by ovalle3.14
Come on guys, no system can pay attention to the needs of each individual member on this scale. I'm sure the Americanist Church of Bremen will understand.
12:26 December 1, 2012 by lucksi
just give everyone 35 days off and get rid of all the religious days.
16:52 December 1, 2012 by Peepopaapo
Fine, now I'm just waiting for Saudia Arabia and other Muslim states also giving Hinduists, Buddhists, Christians, Jews and so own their holidays...
17:45 December 1, 2012 by raandy
Bremen grants holidays to Muslims, but really all they are doing is allowing them to take an unpaid day off from work. A PR stunt is all it really is.

The agreement signed reflects "mutual recognition and respect of mutual values," added the mayor. Ok if you say so.
18:24 December 1, 2012 by Englishted
Agree with lucksi #5 on this one.
20:14 December 1, 2012 by mobaisch
come on people smarten up a little or you got blinded from the title directly?

It would be part of the overall yearly holiday days and the boss is entitled to refuse. Its just a gesture and in real life its is simple holiday that any employee can apply and get!
20:58 December 1, 2012 by Englishted
@mobaisch

So why do it ?,pandering?
23:26 December 1, 2012 by Onlythetruth
In all fairness Bremen should now grant the same privilege to the Red Army Faction.
13:18 December 2, 2012 by mehta_p
I have read the whole article. In last 2 paragraphs it says:

- Muslims in Hamburg will have the right to three religious holidays but will have to take them as part of their overall holiday entitlement

- Until that point, it was up to employers to decide whether to grant Muslim staff religious days off.

For me, why do you 'Bremen/Hamburg' make hype of the muslim religious holidays?

In many companies in Germany, you have to inform your bosses your annual holidays in well advance. So at the beginning of the year, the muslims can apply for the holidays for those 'three' holly-days. In this case, it is hardly possible that your boss won't grant the holidays.

Whenever I ask my boss for holidays for a day or two which were unplanned at the beginning of the year, I have to give reason to my boss, why i am taking holidays on these particular days. Despite my religion, race etc my boss grant me holidays, as it is based on way of my work and current workload and not other parameters.

sorry to say, too much from Mr Jens Böhrnsen. or Is it going to some wrong direction in near future???
12:57 December 3, 2012 by grinners
As a member of the 'Love' religion, I am entitled to unpaid leave also. It just needs to be approved.

I'm not really sure where the story is here.
16:18 December 3, 2012 by zameenzad
A sane and friendly gesture from both sides. In today's world, one must learn different cultures and embrace diversity. Otherwise one is just a villager.
22:06 December 3, 2012 by Onlythetruth
I think thats a great idea zameenzad. First the muslims stop with the world wide jihad and then the civilized world should respond.
07:23 December 4, 2012 by StoutViking
@Peepopaapo

I guess they'll have to give them the right to exist to begin with.
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