Interreligious learning: Haranni-Gymnasium visits the Islamic community

Interreligious learning: Haranni-Gymnasium visits the Islamic community

On July 9, 2025, curiosity and openness spread throughout the Röhlinghausen Islamic community, as students from the Haranni-Gymnasium in Herne visited the religious institution. The group consisted of young people between the ages of 13 and 18 who were part of interreligious project days. Before visiting the mosque, the students had already visited a church, a synagogue and a Hindu temple, which underlines the diversity of topics and intercultural exchange. Accompanied by the project leaders Bernadette Schwanengel and Ingo Treder, they received a varied insight into the faith and traditions of Islam.

Tuncay Nazik, a committed contributor, explained to the students the basics of Islam, everyday community life and the diversity of Muslim life in Germany. It wasn't just about theory - practical insights were also offered. Salih Davulcu from the Röhlinghausen Muslim Youth led the group through the prayer room, explained the meaning of Islamic prayer and clarified the individual prayer units. These views are particularly important at a time when interreligious contacts are becoming increasingly relevant.

Interreligious encounters promote understanding

As a current brief analysis by the German Islam Conference shows, interreligious contacts are important for many people with a migration background. According to the study, non-Muslim people with a migration background often feel better informed about Islam than people without a migration background. The analysis is based on a nationwide representative survey and shows that many people, despite limited knowledge about Judaism, have a high level of interest in interreligious encounters. An important point: personal experiences, such as visiting a mosque, can reduce fears and prejudices against Islam.

Research results, including those from the Bertelsmann Foundation's Religion Monitor, confirm that knowledge about the diversity within the Muslim community can protect against prejudice. Accordingly, 83 percent of those surveyed know that there are both strictly and less strictly religious Muslims, and 85 percent are aware that the behavior of individuals is often attributed to the entire group. These insights can be crucial for breaking down negative stereotypes and promoting better coexistence.

Joint activities strengthen the connection

The visit concluded with table football and table tennis tournaments, which were intended to promote not only sporting competition, but also a sense of community and dialogue among the young people. The opportunity to ask open questions in a relaxed atmosphere contributed to deepening intercultural understanding. Such formats are important to create understanding and strengthen appreciation for other religious communities.

At a time when understanding across religious boundaries is more important than ever, the Haranni-Gymnasium project days show how valuable the exchange between different cultures and faiths is. Sharpening one's own view of living together in a diverse society is a task that everyone should tackle in order to achieve harmonious coexistence.

These initiatives help to both promote knowledge about religious differences and raise awareness of the normality of Muslim life - and this is crucial to achieving positive coexistence.

For further information: Visit Hello Herne, German Islam Conference and Bertelsmann Foundation.