GTTO Sends Letter of Complaint to Bild due to Concerns Over Misrepresentation of Islamkolleg Program

Screenshot of article from Bild

The GTTO team sent a letter of complaint to Bild newspaper in Germany, expresses concerns about an article published by Bild on October 4th, 2024, titled "Regierung bildet diesen Islamisten aus" (Government trains this Islamist). The article links the Islamkolleg program, which supports the training of Islamic scholars in Germany, to Islamist extremism based on the involvement of one individual, Ebadullah Maulawy Abdullah. The letter criticises the sensational language used in the article, arguing that it misrepresents the Islamkolleg’s goals of cultural integration and countering radicalisation. It stresses that the article unfairly associates political opinions with extremism, perpetuating harmful stereotypes about Muslim-led initiatives. The Get The Trolls Out! team called for a clarification to provide a more balanced view of the program’s mission and to avoid language that could deepen division and mistrust.

For more details, please read the translated full letter here. 

Dear Ms. Awad and Mr. Piatov, 

We are writing to you to express my concerns about the article “Regierung bildet diesen Islamisten aus” (Government trains this Islamist) published on Bild’s website on October 4th, 2024.

In the article, you allege that the Islamkolleg program, a government-supported initiative aimed at training Islamic scholars in Germany, is linked to Islamist extremism due to the participation of one individual, Ebadullah Maulawy Abdullah. While the Islamkolleg’s mission is to promote cultural integration and prevent radicalization, your article presents the program as a vehicle for extremism, using inflammatory language such as “Government trains this Islamist” to sensationalise the issue. 

This type of reporting is deeply concerning. By focusing on one individual and conflating their political views with extremism, the article misrepresents the Islamkolleg program’s objectives and perpetuates harmful stereotypes about Muslim-led initiatives. Furthermore, highlighting critiques of Israel as evidence of radicalism further conflates political opinions with extremism, fueling anti-Muslim sentiment. 

Articles like this risk undermining vital programs like the Islamkolleg, which promote inclusive Islamic education, counter extremism, and support integration. Discrediting such efforts based on one individual’s actions unfairly stigmatizes both the program and the broader Muslim community, which overwhelmingly supports peace and integration. 

We urge BILD to issue a clarification that provides a balanced view of the Islamkolleg’s mission and to avoid sensationalist language that risks amplifying mistrust and division. Thoughtful reporting on such sensitive topics is essential to promoting understanding and addressing harmful stereotypes. 

Thank you for considering this feedback. 

Sincerely, 

The Get The Trolls Out! Team.