Radicalization: Giving everyday advice rather than inciting hatred
FAU research project on whether radical sermons are held in mosques
Islamic sermons are often considered a source of radicalization. The “Wechselwirkungen” (interactions) project at the FAU Research Center for Islam and Law in Europe at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) has explored to what extent German mosques spread radical content. FAU Islamic scholar Dr. Jörn Thielmann has come to the conclusion that is not hate speech that dominates, but rather advice for leading a religious and moral life in the day to day context.
The sermon is a crucial part of Friday prayers in mosques. Among the general public in Germany, it is often seen as a source of radicalization. However, in spite of this widespread assumption, the average mosque-goer does not experience hatred. Instead, mainstream sermons generally focus on topics relating to everyday religious life, interpersonal relationships, child rearing and education, morals, and spirituality etc.
“Often, the sermons deal with general moral admonishments and advice that every non-religious person would also agree with,” according to Dr. Jörn Thielmann. The managing director of the FAU Research Center for Islam and Law in Europe (EZIRE) at FAU and principal investigator in the “Wechselwirkungen” project continues: “Topics covered include the importance of encouraging your children’s education, of treating family members with respect, encouraging good relations with your neighbors, working for the good of society, or taking action to protect the environment and help the needy.”
Consistent rejection of extremes and violence
Alongside religious matters, the sermons also touched on issues relating to society and politics, although more rarely. These include, for instance, war and peace, terrorism and extremism, the congregation’s home country, integration, migration and inclusion, society, racism, discrimination and Islamophobia. “It is true that Muslim associations do not shy away from mentioning the negative experiences of Muslims, but at the same time they call for a constructive and peaceful approach to dealing with these experiences,” emphasizes the researcher from FAU.
He believes that they acknowledge extremism and radicalization as an existential problem for them and German society. Dr. Jörn Thielmann comes to the conclusion that: “They preach a consistent rejection of extremes and violence and call for their congregations to choose the middle road, in other words to exercise moderation. They strongly advocate lawful, active engagement, not only from other Muslims but from society as a whole.”
No hatred but at the same time a feeling of being unheard
The basis for the research that is currently just in the early stages in Europe is the evaluation of the sermons published online, some of which reach as far back as 2015, from the three largest Muslim associations Türkisch-Islamische Union der Anstalt für Religion e.V. (DITIB), Islamische Gemeinschaft Millî Görüş e.V. (IGMG) and Verband der Islamischen Kulturzentren e.V. (VIKZ). These stand for approximately 1,500 of the total of roughly 2,300 mosques and prayer rooms in Germany attended by the majority of Muslims in Germany. Spot checks were carried out to ensure that preachers throughout Germany actually taught in line with the sermons approved by the associations and published in writing and that the Turkish and the German versions of the Friday sermons were the same.
Dr. Jörn Thielmann came to the following conclusion: “The sermons held in the mosques of the well-known Turkish associations have completely acceptable content and do not include anything that could be regarded as being problematic.” Bearing this in mind, the Islamic scholar has recommendations for action: “Unfortunately, the fact that the sermons regularly call for the congregation to become involved in society and advocate fully acceptable ethical positions is not reflected in the media or politics, and therefore not appreciated by the general public.”
Interactions with Islamic radicalization
Examining Islamic sermons (organized by project leader Dr. Jörn Thielmann together with FAU researcher Dr. Serdar Aslan) is one of a total of six sub-projects in the “Wechselwirkungen” (interactions) project. From 2000 until the end of 2024, the project investigated from various perspectives the impact on Muslim communities of discourse in society regarding Islam and explored how they are affected by measures against radicalization.
Further information:
Dr. Jörn Thielmann
Managing Director of the FAU Research Center for Islam and Law in Europe
Phone +49 9131 85 22239
joern.thielmann@fau.de