People and Politics # Preaching tolerance – an Imam in Berlin (09.01.2009)

Abdallah Hajjir is the Imam, or leader, of one of Berlin’s largest Muslim communities. He preaches a moderate interpretation of the Koran, and sees his role as a cultural intermediary. Imam Hajjir criticises other Imams who live in Germany but distance themselves from German society. There are around 4,000 Imams in the country, and many of them speak little or no German. Imam Hajjir makes an appeal for greater integration.