Seyran Ateş warns that the far right grows because it talks about problems while other parties remain silent.
The German-Turkish lawyer and imam, who lives under police protection, argues that European societies must openly address issues within Islamic communities without fear of empowering extremists.
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Her comments come from a wide-ranging interview discussing her life, her liberal mosque in Berlin, and the challenges of integration.
Why the Far Right Grows in Europe
According to Ateş, the central problem is political silence. “The far right is growing because it talks about problems while the other parties keep silent,” she states. This argument, she believes, stifles necessary discussion about integration, women’s rights, and democratic values within Muslim communities. Consequently, she calls for more courageous political discourse that clearly outlines non-negotiable principles like gender equality.
She emphasises that governments must engage with Islamic associations. Furthermore, they have a responsibility to clarify which rights are fundamental in democratic societies. “I demand that our politicians say louder and more often that there are things here that are absolutely unacceptable,” Ateş explains. This approach, however, requires nuance to avoid fostering generalised islamophobia.
The Challenge of Liberal Islam and Political Violence
Ateş founded the Ibn Rushd-Goethe Mosque in Berlin eight years ago as a progressive alternative. Here, women and men pray together in the same space, and she serves as a female imam. This act of reform has come at a personal cost. She has lived under police protection since 2006, receiving death threats initially for helping women forced into marriage and later for publishing her book calling for a sexual revolution within Islam.
The threat of violence, she argues, silences other progressive Muslims. “If our opponents use violence against us progressives, who dares to speak?” she asks. Many have sought her advice on opening similar mosques but ultimately refrain due to security concerns. Therefore, the visible representation of liberal Islam remains limited, not because it lacks support, but because its advocates face genuine danger.
She advocates for greater transparency in all places of worship, including knowing who leads them and what is preached. This is crucial, she insists, because some teachings may be anti-democratic or contravene national laws. The principle of religious freedom, she notes, has limits when it conflicts with constitutional rights.
A Call for European Cooperation and Honest Dialogue
Ateş sees a need for a coordinated European response. She is calling for a European conference on Islam to address common challenges across the continent. “We have the same problems all over Europe,” she observes, highlighting the need for more interaction between countries to jointly confront political and radical Islam.
She also stresses the importance of honest differentiation between religions when discussing specific issues like forced marriage or terrorism. While fighting patriarchy across all faiths, she notes practical differences in current European contexts. Ateş’s full interview, originally published by Ara Cat, provides a stark analysis of the political landscape. Her perspective connects to broader discussions about social cohesion, similar to recent debates highlighted in our coverage of how Barcelona residents are seeking solutions to overtourism.
Ultimately, Seyran Ateş presents a complex picture. The far right grows not because it has good solutions, she concludes, but because it fills a vacuum of discussion that mainstream parties have created. Her proposed solution involves education, open debate, specific government ministries for migration, and the courageous example of progressive religious practice.
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