Muslims in the German military to get their own chaplaincy Bundeswehr soldiers of Islamic faith have long lacked the pastoral care available to their Christian and, as of recent years, Jewish counterparts. What was once seen as politically impossible is about to change.

(Deutsche Welle) As the parliamentary commissioner for the German armed forces, or Bundeswehr, Eva Högl is responsible for ensuring that the issues and needs of German soldiers get heard. In mid-March, Högl presented her third annual report in her role as commissioner — and once again, she pushed for a military chaplaincy for Muslims.

No matter which political party has controlled the Defense Ministry, when it comes to Islamic military pastoral care, the political line has remained the same for years: It’s not possible, there’s no partner to approach on the Muslim side.

Högl, of the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), is no longer content with that response. The “lack of an equally empowered military chaplaincy for soldiers of the Islamic faith” is “extremely unsatisfactory.” Högl has demanded that the Defense Ministry speedily institute this pastoral care, to be provided by qualified personnel on a contractual basis.

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