The Mevlana Mosque in Berlin-Kreuzberg: An Unsolved Conflict

Abstract

Abstract This paper describes a public conflict over the building of a mosque in Berlin. The conflict covered the best part of three years. It started in 1999 with a misunderstanding, steadily culminated over a period of two years and was finally cemented into stalemate after 11 September 2001. It has not been solved yet. A description of the historical background and the local setting in which the conflict emerged sets the scene. The main narrative describes the phases of the conflict. In conclusion, the question is raised as to why it took such a disastrous course. Keywords: Islam in EuropeInstitutionalisationWomenReligious TransferReligious ExpertsBerlinMosque Notes 1. According to unpublished documents in the Ahmadiyya Jamaat archive in Berlin. 2. Both organisations originally were Nakshibendi reactions to the Turkish forced modernisation in the 1920s. The Islam Kültür Merkezi, also called Süleymanci, opted for passive—non-political—resistance through the pious observance of Shari'a law. In the 1950s it became known for the refusal of its male members to wear Western hats. The organisation was repeatedly forbidden in Turkey. Migration to Europe, Germany especially, offered it a chance to institutionalise. The hierarchical order-like community specialises in teaching Quran and rules of ethics (Ahlak) to the young generation (Jonker Citation2002: 179–203). Contrary to the Süleymanci, the Islamic Community of Milli Görüs ('The Right View') from the very start pursued political aims. Obeisance to Shari'a law for this organisation meant the realisation of a Shari'a-ruled state on Turkish soil. Efforts to build a political party during the 1970s and 1980s were invariably thwarted by the Turkish military. In 1996, the first 'democratic turn' allowed for a short government participation. After a dramatic split in which the 'progressive democrats' left the 'conservative forces' behind, the new AKP party managed to win the elections in 2001 (Seufert Citation1997 Citation2002). For Milli Görüs, too, the 1960s migration to Europe offered a possibility to stabilise and grow. But once in Europe, its members quickly realised that they should build explicit religious communities with no political involvement if they wanted to become acknowledged. This institutional expectation has proved a main difficulty. Milli Görüs considers political involvement as belonging to Islam. In Germany, especially, this causes distrust and friction. 3. Between October 2001 and January 2002, interviews were made in Berlin with Milli Görüs officials, the Head Imam of the Islamic Federation, the preacher of the Mevlana mosque, both the architect and the lawyer of the Mosque Foundation, and the burgomaster of Kreuzberg. In addition, several interested architects and politicians working in the Kreuzberg borough were asked their opinion on the mosque conflict. Additional informationNotes on contributorsGerdien Jonker Gerdien Jonker is Professor of Social and Comparative Anthropology at Viadrina University