• Germany edition
National
Photo: DPA

Authorities plan exit scheme for Salafists

Published: 22 Dec 12 07:57 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/national/20121222-46931.html

Authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia are the first in Germany to be working on an opt-out and prevention programme for Salafists, with the goal of reaching people before they get involved in radical Islamist groups.

Burkhard Freier, head of the state’s Office for the Protection of the Constitution, told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper that it is difficult to get people out of radical groups once they’ve joined.

Freier said his office will work closely together with Muslim organisations to provide ways people can opt out of the groups before becoming too entrenched.

He wants Muslims in Germany to know that the opt out program is about getting out of radical groups and not “getting out of Islam, which we respect.”

His office estimates that the number of extremist Salafists in North Rhine-Westphalia has doubled this year to 1,000. The effort with local Muslim groups comes after attempts at using hotlines to get people to either not join or quit such groups were less than successful.

Militant Salafist groups have been in the news a lot lately. On Thursday such a group released a video calling on followers to take German hostages to free an Islamist now serving a six-year sentence for stabbing two policemen in Bonn in May.

Last week German prosecutors said they believe Islamist extremists were behind a botched bomb attempt at the Bonn train station.

The Local/DAPD/mw

What do you think? Leave your comment below.


Your comments about this article:

16:08 December 22, 2012 by Berlin fuer alles
Would the better exit scheme not be deportation? If they don't like the Western Culture then there is always their own culture to move to elsewhere.
16:19 December 22, 2012 by Hillbask
GET RID OF THEM! How dare they come to Germany, be granted asylum, then threaten to do harm to the countrymen who shelter them. They do not belong here. Imagine bringing bodily harm upon a group of people in exchange for one of their own extremists being released after stabbing a German police. WRONG! That is one thing I envy about the German Constitution, the right to deny foreign people harbor if they so wish.
19:32 December 22, 2012 by owlguard
I was told there are two types of Muslims. One type wants world domination today and the other type says not yet. This may sound biast but it is the teaching of Islam. This is why it is so easy to move none violent muslims into radical groups. Islam is not a religion of peace, it is a religion of conquest just as its founder.
20:41 December 22, 2012 by danceswithgoats
You can't deport citizens. Look at the picture. Many of these Salafists are born and raised in Germany as Germans and convert to Islam. Nature abhors a vacuum. Mainstream German culture is so against Christianity that it is dying in Germany. The Salafists are filling the void. Humans are physical, intellectual and spiritual. Humanism is not spiritual.
09:31 December 23, 2012 by Zubair Khan
It looks very good move and encouraging scheme must be implemented. However here million dollar question would be which type of Islam will facilitate these extremists to reform their behaviour? Here in Germany for the reformation of societal behaviour of Muslims, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community tops the list in this regrad. All the departments of Germany know it an appreciate the community. Recently the Supreme head of the community was invited to select gathering of European parliamentarians. Just read some of his statements.

"Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the supreme head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, while addressing in European Parliament building on 04th of December said that in the modern world many people viewed Islam as a religion that promoted violence and extremism and blamed it for many of the conflicts taking place in various parts of the world. He said that such allegations were particularly unjust given that ¦quot;the very meanings of the world Islam are ¦#39;peace¦#39; and ¦#39;security¦#39;. In an other statement he said, Governments need to make policies that establish and protect mutual respect, through which hurting the sentiments of others or causing them any type of harm should be outlawed. He also said, Always remember that peace can only be established by helping both the oppressed and the oppressor in a manner that is completely impartial, free from vested interests and devoid of all enmity. Peace is made by giving all parties an equal platform and playing field. Hopefully those preparing such schemes for Muslims, for fruitful results, will consider to get benefits from Ahmadiyya Muslim community also.
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Photo: DPA

Most Germans optimistic about the future

Although less than 50 percent of Germans are optimistic about their current situation, more than half think their future will be better and the number of pessimists in the country dropped, a survey released on Saturday showed. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Organic food stores expand rapidly

Organic food and health stores are undergoing a hefty expansion in Germany, with the Vitalia chain taking over several locations from the bankrupt Schlecker drugstore chain in Munich alone. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Friedrich wants hate preachers expelled

Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich has called for the expulsion of Islamic religious leaders who preach hate and said Germany’s laws must be changed to accomplish that. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Russians top asylum seekers to Germany

The number of asylum seekers in Germany rose once again in April and was nearly three times higher than last year, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees said on Friday, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Economists warn against German euro exit

While a third of Germans would rather pay with the old Deutsche mark than the euro, economists warn that a German exit from the currency union would result in a disaster. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Survey: Half of gays harassed in Germany

Nearly 50 percent of German lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents reported being harassed and/or discriminated against last year, a study on the European Union’s LGBT community released on Friday and published in the Süddeutsche Zeitung showed. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Burning ship had tonnes of radioactive material

After a freighter went up in flames at the start of the month while carrying radioactive material into Hamburg's harbour, it has emerged that the German port city receives such hazardous cargo up to seven times a month. READ () »

Photo: CDU

Christian Democrats set up political donation ATM

Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats have installed a automated teller machine for political donations up to €100 at their HQ. The election campaign gag attracts tourists paying a few euros for the receipt it spits out. READ () »

More National
RECEIVE OUR NEWSLETTER AND ALERTS
Highlights
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
Harmless pink fun or a bad influence on young girls? A life-size Barbie dream house attraction opened in Berlin to protests including a topless woman burning a doll in effigy.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
At his final heartbeat I knew I had to act. Our German of the Week is Tina K., who, after her brother was beaten to death, has been campaigning for an end to street violence in Berlin.
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
The Local List: Ten German words with double meanings
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
The Local's English-language movie listings for Germany
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
Conflict is part of the fabric of Berlin, but the city's "Peacemaker" soothes things over. Jessica Ware tracked him down for a chat.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
It might be politically toxic, but it's time to hit the brakes on Germany's reckless driving culture, argues The Local's Ben Knight.
Photo: M&S
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Move over Berlin: why London is Germany's new fashion capital
Photo: Private
OPINION »
For this edition of My German Career, former US military man turned armed guard Keith Alban talks about leaving home in search of a better quality of life.
Photo: Katie Needs
SOCIETY »
Offseason, Germany's largest island Rügen might not top many peoples' list of dream holidays. But as The Local discovered, its quiet beauty makes it worth a trip to escape city bustle.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
Confused about the hundreds of euros missing from your pay packet? Don't panic - the latest in The Local's JobTalk series looks at German social security payments.
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
Is that your Handy ringing? This week's Local List takes a look at 12 misused English words in German.
Photo: A Peoples' Picture
LIFESTYLE »
An American is stirring up creative spontaneity in Dresden by leaving disposable cameras around for strangers' use, before collecting them and displaying the results online.
Photo: Private
LIFESTYLE »
After it was revealed that Angela Merkel had a Polish grandfather, Matthew Luxmoore set out to find where she could connect to her roots in Berlin's sizable Polish community.
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
Why isn't everyone wearing Lederhosen? It's easy for foreigners to stereotype Germany, but this week's Local List is dedicated to debunking common myths.
Photo: Private
OPINION »
The last time Si Liberman saw Berlin, he was thousands of feet in the air on a US bombing raid over Nazi Germany. Nearly seven decades later, he returned to the city.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
What are the hidden rules of etiquette foreigners need to watch out for while doing business in Germany? The Local's JobTalk series has tips for keeping on the right side of your colleagues.
Photo: DPA
NATIONAL »
All of The Local's 'Germans of the Week' so far
Photo: DPA
NATIONAL »
Every town and city from The Local's My Germany series
Furniture Leasing Corporation
SPONSORED ARTICLE
The furniture-free way to relocate to Germany
Photo: Henrik Trygg/imagebank.sweden.se
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Top five reasons to enrol on an Executive MBA



Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Latest news from The Local in Sweden

More news from Sweden at thelocal.se

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

See all ads | Join the Marketplace

Jobs in Germany, in English

842 jobs available
609 new jobs this week
25 new jobs today

ALL JOBS »

Blog
Essentials

Dating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your style? Find a German sweetheart here.

Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather section.

Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.

Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of charge.

Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

News from the Goethe-Institut
News from Young Germany
  • German first feature film in Cannes
    A directorial debut from Germany makes it to the competition “Un Certain Regard” at the famous film festival on the Côte d’Azur.
  • Traveling Germany: Europa-Park
    Think theme parks:Roller coasters, colorful rides, entertainment, thrills. Think Germany: Europa-Park is the largest amusement park in the country, second in Europe only to Disneyland Paris.
  • Frankfurt – the digital hub
    The Internet hub in Frankfurt am Main is the largest in the world and places Germany in a leading position in the digital world.
  • The European Year of Citizens
    2013 is the European Year of Citizens. They‘re invited to contribute their ideas for the EU, and to discover more about their rights as EU citizens. An example: labour mobility.
  • Neuschwanstein Castle: In Photos
    Neuschwanstein is the most popular tourist attraction in Germany. And for good reason. King Ludwig II's castle looks like it fell out of a book of fairy tales.
News from DeutschlandOnline

Toytown Germany
Germany's English-speaking crowd
Trade CFDs with InterTrader.com
Start trading shares, equities, forex, etc. No commission on equities; Low min. margins. Apply for a CFDs account now!
Little house in Spain
'Charming, old, beamed cottage for holiday let in Jesus Pobre, Alicante, Spain
www.littlehouseinspain.com/
Albatross Insurance
Professional and qualified consultancy on all insurance and finance matters in Germany, Telephone: +49 2163 571 1740, Email: bg@albatross-assurance.com
www.albatross-assurance.com
Hotel reservations in Berlin
Visiting Berlin anytime soon? Book your hotel in Berlin here.
Rental apartments in Berlin
For home-from-home holiday accommodation, search for a Berlin apartment to rent.