Cologne mosque divides religions in Germany

By Tom Heneghan, Religion Editor

COLOGNE, Germany (Reuters) - A plan to build a large mosque in Cologne, home to one of Christianity's most imposing cathedrals, is causing sparks to fly in the once peaceful world of inter-religious dialogue in Germany.

The local Catholic leader, Cardinal Joachim Meisner, has said the project gives him "a bad feeling" and Turkey should allow its Christian minorities more rights if Turkish immigrants here can stamp a dome and tall minarets onto the city skyline.

At a discussion in Cologne with a Muslim leader last month, Germany's top Protestant bishop, Wolfgang Huber, criticised the "male domination" he saw in Islam and said Muslims should be able to convert to Christianity without fearing reprisals.

Bekir Alboga of the Turkish Islamic Union DITIB, which will build the mosque, has accused the churches of portraying Islam as a threat in order to rally their dwindling flocks.

"There's a new edge to the debate about Islam in Germany," the respected weekly Die Zeit observed. "Recognising that Islam belongs in Germany was not the end, but only the beginning of a cultural conflict."

Germany, where the near even balance between Catholics and Protestants has fostered good ecumenical relations in recent decades, last year launched an "Islam Conference" for government and Muslim officials to discuss integrating the religion.

It has also opened consultations between government officials and Muslim leaders on how to better integrate its 3.2 million Muslims, over half of whom are of Turkish origin.

ISLAM HERE TO STAY