Evangelical Church Divided Over Headscarf Ban

March 16, 2004

Source: Lutheran World Information

http://www.wfn.org/2004/03/msg00158.html

On March 16, 2004 Lutheran World Information reported, "There is increasing disagreement within the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) concerning the ban on the wearing of head scarves by Muslim teachers at public schools. EKD Council Chairperson Bishop Dr Wolfgang Huber, Bishops Dr Margot Kdssman (Hanover), Dr Johannes Friedrich (Bavaria), or Dr Gerhard Maier (Wirttemberg), are among those favoring a ban on the wearing of headscarves. They see the headscarf as an anti democratic political symbol. The North Elbian bishops, Maria Jepsen, (Hamburg), Bdrbel Wartenberg-Potter (L|beck); and J|rgen Johannesdotter from Schaumburg-Lippe, have spoken out against a headscarf ban for Muslim teachers. The EKD brings together 24 Lutheran, Reformed and United churches, with a combined membership of around 26.5 million people."