Kiel University draws conclusions: Islamic university group under pressure

Kiel University draws conclusions: Islamic university group under pressure

On July 16, 2025, the Christian Albrechts University of Kiel (CAU) decided on drastic measures against the Islamic University Group (IHG). Following a review of events during IHG's Action Week, which took place May 5-9, 2025, the group's status as a university group will be revoked. This decision was prepared in discussions between the CAU Executive Board and the IHG Board of Directors. The review included the invitation of speaker Sertac Odabas as well as the cards, which concerned gender-segregated seating and possible links to Salafism.

The review results indicate that the allegations against IHG could not be resolved. In particular, it was determined that the internal processes within IHG are not sufficient to organize independent and safe events. This has resulted in trust in IHG as a university group being permanently shaken. As a consequence, IHG students were deprived of all rights to use the university's rooms and digital infrastructure until the official withdrawal takes place.

Planned legal consequences

In addition, the CAU will examine legal steps that could possibly lead to the de-registration of individual members or even bans on external persons. The initiation of a criminal complaint is also being considered. These measures are carried out in close coordination with the legal supervision of the Ministry of General and Vocational Education, Science, Research and Culture (MBWFK), which supports the university in these matters.

In its statement, the university emphasizes the need for a safe and respectful university culture. IHG's board responded to the review by announcing his resignation. The group also expressed regret at inviting a speaker who is associated with the Salafist currents and questioned the voluntary nature of the gender-segregated seating arrangement.

Anti-Semitism as a central theme

The discussions about the IHG take place against the background of a societal discourse about anti-Semitism. A motion from the Bundestag, which was approved by several parliamentary groups on January 29, 2025, takes a clear position against anti-Semitism and hostility to Israel in schools and universities. This is also related to the recent escalations in the Middle East conflict, in particular the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023, which brought the issues surrounding anti-Semitism into the public spotlight.

In this light, it is becoming increasingly urgent for Kiel University to take measures to ensure that extremist tendencies and anti-Semitic content have no place in universities. The application calls, among other things, for more anti-Semitism research and the intensification of prevention strategies to ensure a safe learning environment for all students. The FDP parliamentary group leader Christopher Vogt emphasizes the necessity of these measures and refers to the assessments of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, which show the IHG's proximity to Salafism.

Overall, the CAU faces major challenges in view of these developments. The planned changes to the recognition of student groups and the allocation of rooms are intended to help prevent abuse in the future while ensuring an open and respectful university culture.

The future of IHG and its role within the university remains uncertain as the university works to make fundamental changes to strengthen the higher education system.

IHG Verification Information and further steps can be found on the CAU website. Also The time reports in detail about the consequences of this decision. Last but not least, the social discussion about anti-Semitism is also taking place Bundestag and has a significant influence on their decision.