Germany: Trainee imams are leading a modest life at university

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The student has a modest life. He has a cell phone, which is paid by the parents. At the university, however, it is not allowed. "Whoever starts the theology study must bring the right attitude"

Mohammad Talha Kahloon wants to be Imam. He has taken his marked path
and leads a modest life.

Times of Ahmad | News Watch | UK Desk
Source/Credit: Ruesselsheimer-Echo
By Rudiger Koslowsji | July 7, 2017

Mohammad-Talha Kahloon has just been on a semester break. The 23-year-old young man with the dark beard studied at the Institute for Islamic Theology and Languages ​​of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Germany in Riedstadt. After the holidays, he begins the seventh of 14 semesters. At the end of the course are a master thesis and 13 examinations. On successful completion, he will become an Imam, a Muslim clergyman. The institute was opened in 2012 as the first Imam school in Germany.

Sacrifice for the community

The path of the thoughtful and deliberate young man was paved by his parents. In the Ahmadiyya community, the parents decide before their birth whether their son is to be Imam. "The parents dedicate their child for the faith," says Kahloon. His parents also saw their son as an imam in the future.

However, at the age of 15 and 18, the children are asked if they really want to go this way. "Not all agree," reports the Imamschüler.

He already. "I chose to do it because I wanted to serve the church," he says. He has been raised faithfully, he has had contact with the mosque through his parents since childhood, spent his free time in youth organizations.

In addition to the personal attachment to the mosque, he also feels a spiritual bond with God. Religion gives him satisfaction, but it is also protection. "With religion, I feel good when I'm in stress, I pray," he says.

Kahloon studies the languages ​​Urdu (native language in Pakistan), Arabic, English, German and Persian. Theology studies include Islamic history, rhetoric, the Prophet's traditions, Koran translation, Koranexegesis and legal doctrine on the timetable. "There are also people who stop," says the student. He, on the other hand, feels confirmed on his way.

The students live in a dormitory. For an outsider the students lead a life rich in deprivation and fairly structured life. The day starts with the morning prayer and breakfast depending on the season between four and six o'clock. They can then lie down again until 7:50 am. Then is until 2 pm lessons.

50 Euro pocket money

After lunch and it's time for sports. The afternoon prayer follows. Then they have free time, which they can also use for learning. Between evening prayer and night prayer is learning time. At 10 pm the day ends. "This is not so bad, we have enough free time," Kahloon is convinced.

The students live with free board and lodging, the learning material is provided. You will receive a pocket money of 50 Euro per month. Kahloon does not have any more money. When he needs something special, he turns to his parents. "We have everything at the university," he says.

The student has a modest life. He has a cell phone, which is paid by the parents. At the university, however, it is not allowed. "Whoever starts the theology study must bring the right attitude," he emphasizes.

This also applies to later life as Imam. "If you want to make a lot of money, you should not do it," says Kahloon, laughing. He can not name the merit of an Imam, which differs from church to church. The Imam is provided the accommodation, a car, food and drinks. An Imam was a humble, not a material man. "I do not know an Imam who complained," he says. A job in a community is certain to every trained imam after the study.

Kahloon finds it important that imams are trained in Germany. This helps to reduce prejudice against Islam but also against imams. Imams, grown up in Germany and trained here, know the culture and society. Apart from pastoral care, they also perform social tasks and can, for example, deal more specifically with the problems and difficulties of young people.

Kahloon condemns so-called hate preachers, radical Islam, Salafism and the radicalization of the young. However, the Ahmadiyya community has not been noticed in Germany so far and has had no problems with radical youths.


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