News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

German-Interior-Minister-Thomas-de-Maiziere-main_article_image.jpg
Wikimedia Commons
World News

Backlash after German politician proposes public Muslim holidays

by Tola Mbakwe

German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere, who is part of Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats Union (CDU), said he was open to the idea while speaking on a campaign trail last week.

Although he said many of Germany's public holidays are Christian, and it should stay that way, he added: "In places where there are many Muslims, why can't we think about introducing a Muslim public holiday?"

However, other politicians have voiced their opposition to the idea.

Senior CDU member Wolfgang Bosbach told newspaper Bild that people can celebrate whatever religious holiday they want, but "whether the state should also protect non-Christian holidays with legal regulation in future is a different issue entirely."

Also, Alexander Dobrindt, a senior figure in the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian version of CDU, told Bild that Germany's Christian heritage was non-negotiable.

A spokeswoman for the Interior Ministry said de Maiziere still believed Germany's public holidays were of a Christian nature "and don't have any other roots".

She added that he doesn't have any influence on whether there should be public Muslim holidays or not because according to German law, individual states have to decide.

She also said Hamburg and Bremen have signed agreements with Muslim organisations so that Muslim students could have time off school, and workers could take time off work for holidays important to Islam.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate