(European Conservative) A new agreement granting Muslims in Schleswig-Holstein two additional public holidays has triggered sharp criticism from opposition parties, who warn that the move risks privileging one faith community and sidelining broader concerns over integration.
Last week, the state government signed a treaty with the Northern German Association of Islamic Cultural Centres (VIKZ). The agreement allows Muslim officials, employees, and pupils to take time off on the first day of Ramadan and on Eid al-Adha.
It also confirms the association’s right to run its own educational institutions and train imams, while paving the way for Islamic studies to be introduced as a regular school subject.
