TEHRAN For quite a long time, German organizations and officials have tried to limit the activities of Muslims residing in Germany through drafting and ratifying laws. Recently, an Afghan woman teacher was forbidden from teaching in school just because she observes her Islamic duty and wears hijab.

In another move, last week Berlin's General Department of Schools issued a statement prohibiting the teaching of Islamic lessons in schools till further notice.

Dr. Nadim Elyas, the Head of the Council of Muslims Residing in Germany, said in an interview that this case has a long history, adding that about twenty years ago Berlin's Muslim Federation had requested permission to teach Islamic lessons in the schools of Berlin.

Elyas said that there had been no response to the request until Berlin's administrative court issued a verdict in favor of the Muslim Federation last year. Therefore, the Muslims were allowed to teach Islamic lessons in German schools for the first time, but Berlin's Senate and the General Department of Berlin's Schools acted as if no such ruling had been made.

Elyas said that Berlin's Senate had claimed that the lessons of the federation were incompatible with the German Constitution and that they obviously disrespect the principles of the Constitution.

Considering the fact that the officials have claimed that women do not have equal rights in Islam and that they have said that this is the reason that they are prohibiting the teaching of Islamic lessons in school, Elyas said that the Central Council of Muslims Residing in Germany believes that the Muslims in Germany all respect the Constitution and that women have equal rights in Islam.