Salafism Projects against radicalisation in Bonn

Tannenbusch · Four Bonn projects present their ideas against the further spread of Islamism. The Bonn approach is unique within Germany.

The radicalisation of young people not only greatly concerns parents and relatives, but also schools, institutions and the citizens of Bonn. The fact that in Europe in particular, Islamic extremism is finding ever more fertile ground in the form of attacks and assaults and the ever-increasing number of threats, is one of the most painful experiences of recent times. As is well known, the State wants to prevent its spread among young people.

This is also the case in Bonn, where four projects and refuge centres gave presentations at the Education and Family Centre “Vielinbusch” at the invitation of the Integration Centre and the Neighbourhood Management Neu-Tannenbusch. At the start, Coletta Manemann, the integration representative for Bonn, explained that the prevention projects have nothing to do with the police or the state criminal police department, nor with the protection of the constitution or the state. When the first riots with extreme Salafists took place in Bonn in 2012, people had to decide how to handle them. “Much is still under development and we have already gathered a lot of experience,” said Manemann.

Many Muslims from Tannenbusch, Auerberg and Dransdorf

Mokhtar Bennoune was also, “thrown in at the deep end at first,” as he says. He has been a contact person since 2014 for the “Wegweiser” (Guide) programme, which focuses on the social environment of young people at risk and those affected. “The volume of enquiries is very high,” said Bennoune. It corresponds to about 60 per cent of Muslims from Tannenbusch, Auerberg and Dransdorf.

In his own words, Islamic scholar Kaan Orhon works,“more or less as a lone fighter,” in Bonn for the counselling centre “Hayat”, which was originally formed in Berlin as an exit initiative for highly radicalised Neo-Nazis. He is usually contacted when the ideological ideas are already established and the damage has already been done. He also advises and accompanies criminals sentenced for terrorist activities who have been released on probation.

Preventative work is also carried out by the Bad Godesberg project “Ma’an Miteinander” set up by the Otto-Benecke-Foundation together with the Muslim Haus der Generationen-Verein. Project leader Bernd Loschnig trains mentors, who can act as a counterpart in their communities. It is unusual because it operates from a mosque community. “Ma’an” offers its services in the Mehlem prayer house of the “Haus der Generationen” association, where clients spend time. This approach is unique in Germany and is also known as the, “Bonn Model” in Berlin. “Because the great difficulty with prevention,” says the project leader, “is always the question of how to reach the target group.”

Suhel El Khatib from “18-Grad-Wende” gave a short overview of how Muslim youths are radicalised. Lack of attention, family problems, alcohol, drugs, shisha and laptops – these are the stated ingredients for danger of radicalisation through Salafist extremists. El Khatib train mentors and disseminators from among young refugees, who encourage Muslims to act as part of our society again.

Original text: Stefan Hermes. Translated by Kate Carey.

Meistgelesen
Neueste Artikel
Zum Thema
Aus dem Ressort