Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner Proposes Islamic Lessons in State Schools

Berlin’s governing mayor, Kai Wegner, called for Islamic religious education to be introduced in the city’s state schools. He said that teaching Islam under public supervision could protect young people from radical influences that he links to “backyard mosques” operating outside state oversight.

Wegner made the proposal in the wake of the deadly Islamist attack on the Christopher Street Day parade in Berlin, where a driver‑rammed a van into the crowd and then used a machete, killing a woman and injuring dozens. The attacker, Abdul Ballout, had previously been convicted of preparing violent acts and was released while his case was under appeal. He was later shot dead by police after confronting officers with a bladed weapon.

The mayor also urged stronger pressure on radical mosques, including possible bans, arguing that state‑run Islamic instruction would bring religious teaching under official control and help counter extremist networks.