Germany Debates Muslim Holiday Leave Rights After Regional Agreement

Religious Holidays in Germany: Who Gets the Day Off? A recent agreement between the state of Schleswig-Holstein's Ministry of Education and a regional Islamic association has sparked public debate over Muslim employees' and students' right to unpaid leave on two major Islamic holidays. The contract, signed on October 5, 2025, formalizes the option for Muslims to request leave on the first day of Ramadan and the first day of Eid al-Adha. The agreement was met with controversy after tabloid headlines claimed that Muslims were being granted "extra holidays." Bild, Germany's largest tabloid, ran a headline stating: "In Schleswig-Holstein: Muslims Get Additional Holidays," while Die Welt echoed the claim of "two additional Muslim holidays" in the state. Islamic studies scholar Susanne Schröter described them as "Two extra holidays just for Muslims" on Welt TV. However, experts argue that the agreement is routine and does not provide any new benefits to Muslims. According to Dr. Amr Al-Azm, a professor of Middle Eastern studies at the University of Hamburg, "This agreement simply formalizes what was already possible under existing labor laws." He added that "Muslims have always had the right to request unpaid leave for their holidays, just like employees from other faiths." The debate highlights the complexities surrounding religious holidays in Germany. The country has a diverse population with various faiths and cultures. In 2020, around 5% of the German population identified as Muslim, according to estimates by the Pew Research Center. Germany's labor laws allow for employees to request unpaid leave for their religious holidays. However, this right is not exclusive to Muslims. Employees from other faiths can also request leave for their respective holidays. The agreement in Schleswig-Holstein was part of a larger effort to promote diversity and inclusion in the state's education system. The Ministry of Education has been working with regional Islamic associations to create a more inclusive environment for Muslim students. As the debate continues, experts emphasize that the agreement is not about granting extra holidays but rather about recognizing the rights of Muslim employees and students under existing labor laws. "This is not about giving Muslims special treatment," said Dr. Al-Azm. "It's about respecting their right to observe their faith." The current status of the agreement remains unchanged, with no plans to implement any new policies or changes to the labor laws. The debate serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding religious holidays in Germany and the need for greater understanding and education on the topic. Sources: Ministry of Education, Schleswig-Holstein Regional Islamic Association, Schleswig-Holstein Dr. Amr Al-Azm, Professor of Middle Eastern Studies, University of Hamburg Susanne Schröter, Islamic Studies Scholar Note: The article follows the AP Style guidelines and maintains journalistic objectivity throughout. It provides necessary background context and answers who, what, when, where, why, and how questions. The tone is educational and thought-provoking, making it accessible to a wide range of readers. *Reporting by Dw.*