Islam and Germany in History
Still fresh in our memory a few months ago among Muslims around the world created fury caused by a group of politicians held a "Anti-Islamification Congress" in Germany. The meeting, sponsored by the right wing several European countries was held in the city of Cologne or Cologne, the third largest city in the country. Not long before that, the same town was also enlivened by the Great Mosque development plan that his proposal was approved by parliament.
Rejection movements appear characterized by the formation of alliances Pro-Köln (For Cologne), abbreviated to PK, which consists of some local political activists. Other political forces that do not agree that PK is an extremist movement, carrying the racism and allegedly as the incarnation of Nazi doctrine 'forbidden' in Germany. Not only that, the activist wing of the socialist-Marxist also firmly rejects the convening of the event. They perform coordinated action and invite the public to boycott the elements of the event. Written in one of the sites Marxism, "They were the resource persons aghast to discover That Would take no taxi driver Them to Their destination, no restaurant honoured Their table reservation and no hotel keys Would give Them to Their rooms."
"They were surprised because they know that all taxi drivers do not want to carry them, no restaurant providing table, and all hotels will not give me the key to their room."
Even among the left is expressing appreciation of the attitude of the Christian Democratic stronghold that also rejected the fascist agenda. Mayor of Cologne from the CDU party (Christlich Democratic Union Deutschlands) Fritz Schramma spoke loudly condemn and oppose the convening of the congress in his town. Simply amazing considering the CDU a few moments before voiced reject development Great Mosque in Cologne.
Regardless of the condition of local politics, the phenomenon of the establishment of several non-Muslim forces behind this Islam opened our eyes to all that slowly but surely the world is heading in a new equilibrium pattern. The dominance of Western and Christian culture in European countries slowly changing and inevitably required to accept a plurality consequence, something we see often fired various circles on the Muslims who constitute the majority somewhere.
Half last year I had several times visited Cologne. Although in general the cost of living here is somewhat more expensive, but the friendly people showed characteristics of western Germany in general and different from the southern regions that tend to hard. Landmark city is a big church named Dom, right next to the main train station Hauptbahnhof alias. Among Christians reject the establishment of the Great Mosque because they feel Cologne is a 'Christian City' that is the city with a strong Christian culture. Departing from this point, I am interested to retreat to the rear and see how the past history of Germany related to Islam and his people.
Various reference took me to see the 17th century, precisely in 1668 and 1683. The period known as the turning point of expansion dynasty 'Ottoman (Ottomans), faces a major force in Europe that previously did not cease fighting each other. In the spirit of eliminating colonialism trampled various Islamic countries in various parts of the world, Turkish troops entered the heart of Europe.
Vienna (Vienna) capital of the Austrian troops had besieged the Ottoman Turks in 1668 AD or 1079 AH Blockade carried out by Islamic forces are then generate a new consciousness for European countries to unite, and realize that the only thing that can unite them against the Turkish troops is a religion. The Vatican was immediately voiced to order a counterattack to Tunisia and Algeria. At the same time, Germany's strongest army sent reinforcements to relieve Vienna from the Turkish blockade. Inspired by the victory of Russia retake the city of Kiev from the troops' Ottoman 2 years earlier, in 1683 or just 15 years later in Germany to take over the city of Vienna. This resulted in the defeat of Ottoman troops tertawannya many Muslims who are then employed by force by the German landlord in the country. This is the first impression is "not so tempting" between Islam and Germany.
But it was after that almost did not find any negative notes between Islam and Germany, countries that the percentage of Muslim population is only about 5% where the majority keturunanTurki. Community of the only Islamic country that had fought with them this coming post-World War II, to fill various vacancies available. Naturally, because it was recorded the availability of manpower and employment is 6 to 1 worker vacancies available. Turkish Muslim immigrants and some other countries contribute significantly to rising German economy by 400% over the period 1948 to 1961.
Increasing the German economy is referred to as one of the wonders of the world economy and is known by the term Wirtschaftswunder or Miracle of Economy. Is Ludwig Erhard (1897 - 1977) which introduced the concept of Soziale Marktwirtschaft or "Social Market Economy" which provides subsidized welfare for the disabled, unable to, among seniors, to children. The hallmark of this system is a "safety-net" that try to do well by the Indonesian government with the Social Safety Net or SSN.
Other factors that cause economic growth is so rapid economic recovery program is better known by the term "Marshall Plan", initiated by the United States and conducted 1948-1951 to include Germany (West) into the alliance, in addition to German superiority in the field of machinery which is also desired. The name "Marshall Plan" is taken from the George C. Marshall who was then serving as U.S. secretary of state.
With such rapid economic growth, mastery of high technology and supported safety nets which greatly facilitate its population, Germany became one study destination among the youth. 1950s and 1960s, came the third wave of Muslims who went to Germany in order to learn. The majority of this third wave is the youth that besides the Middle East in order to learn, also avoid the regime in their country that many repressive actions during the period.
The third wave is different from the soldiers and workers in the 17th century a few decades earlier, but made up of people educated and enlightened intellectually. In their study underwent not only technology but also learn to form associations and organizations. In the early 1960s stood Islamic Center in Munich (München Zentrum Islamisches) with the help of a donation of 80 thousand Deutschmarks King Fahd of Saudi Arabia's royal leaders.
Along the third wave and post this, gradually from various countries including Indonesia, Muslim students were scattered throughout Germany. One is the third president of the Republic of Indonesia, Baharuddin Jusuf Habibie, who took his course in the city of Aachen in 1955, and 10 years later obtained his doctorate from the RWTH-Aachen.
The scholarship program was launched to the German government is supporting the close interaction with the educated Muslims. Some Islamic countries are counted as developing countries get the facility to send students and fully funded by the German government. One program that is raised is the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) or the Germany Academic Exchange Service is also given to students from Indonesia.
In 1994 the Indonesian students who receive scholarships from the DAAD program is then formed a communication vehicle for Indonesian Muslims. A grantee meeting, held in the city of Karlsruhe utilized as a momentum to establish a joint container which is then given the name stands for Forkom-German Forum Indonesian Muslim Society as Germany.
Until now Forkom-Germany continued to exist and seeks to widen the mission to satisfy the thirst of Indonesian Muslims in various cities in Germany, to present Islam in the life of togetherness among the majority population, cultural, and environmental non-Muslim. Other missions are, continues to strive to harmonize between Muslims and other religions, and determined to fulfill the ideals of Islam as rahmatan lil 'alamin with friends and contribute.
