With unusually blunt words, German Education Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) has warned against a complacent approach to Islamist extremism. Presenting the findings of a government-funded research network on Islamism, Özdemir criticized what he called the “intolerable naivety” with which politicians and the public often respond to the threat posed by Islamists. The network received €15 million in funding over the past five years from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
Islamists, Özdemir stressed, hold democratic values and the Western way of life in contempt. He pointed out that the danger does not stem solely from violent individuals. “Islamist extremism also threatens Muslims themselves,” he said, “because the actions of a few cast suspicion on an entire community.” Generalizing about Muslims, he added, ultimately serves the interests of fundamentalists. A clear distinction must be drawn between peaceful religious practice and extremist ideology.
Özdemir also criticized the uncritical glorification of Turkish President Erdoğan within parts of Germany’s Turkish diaspora. “It’s not illegal to support Erdoğan,” he said. “But one has to wonder why this devotion doesn’t extend to wanting to live in his country.”
The minister voiced deep concern about the growing appeal of Islamist groups to young people in Germany. “It worries me greatly that more and more young people are being drawn into radical milieus,” he said.
The research network, launched in 2020, consists of twelve sub-projects that examine the roots, manifestations, and societal impacts of Islamist radicalization in Germany. It focuses on both individual pathways to radicalization and the strategic efforts of Islamist actors to influence youth, communities, and public discourse. The research also scrutinizes the roles played by ideologies, social environments, mosques, schools, and prisons.
Its primary goal is to provide scientifically grounded knowledge to inform prevention efforts, policy decisions, and public debate. The findings are being incorporated into educational materials, prevention programs, and security strategies.
Looking ahead, the Ministry has approved a second funding phase of another €15 million over five years. The new focus will be on how radicalization occurs online—via social media, encrypted messaging services, and other platforms—and on identifying the mechanisms at play in Germany, across Europe, and beyond. The program also seeks to explore what political, pedagogical, and technological tools can effectively counter digital radicalization.
At the results presentation, researchers highlighted the global mobilization of Islamist networks following the Hamas attack on Israel. They described a “wave of Islamist terror” and a sharp rise in attacks, including in Germany. One extremism researcher involved in the affiliated RADIS transfer project said: “We often see security, integration, and prevention being conflated in public discourse.” The research network, he noted, aims to do justice to these complex interconnections.
In a published volume summarizing the findings of the first funding phase, the researchers call for greater interdisciplinary collaboration and stronger ties between academia and professional practice. Government and civil society actors, they argue, must work closely together. Stereotyping, discrimination, social exclusion, and the trauma of forced migration are all closely linked to the risk of radicalization.
To be effective, prevention must start where people live and interact—schools, youth centers, workplaces, universities, and increasingly, the digital realm. The report underscores the importance of proactive, community-based interventions that reach young people in their everyday environments. Programs promoting democracy and tolerance need to be expanded significantly—not only to prevent radicalization, but also to combat stigmatization.
“An increasing number of young people are growing up in milieus that are distant from democracy or even shaped by extremism,” the researchers warn. That’s why prevention must include both locally embedded networks and accessible digital initiatives. Schools, youth services, and community organizations are seen as key hubs—not just for education, but for early detection and mediation.
At the heart of effective prevention, the report argues, lies comprehensive political and social education. This includes revised textbooks and teaching materials, as well as interfaith dialogue and, crucially, an open intra-Muslim conversation that acknowledges the diversity of Islamic communities and counters radical interpretations.
Educators and youth workers must be better equipped to handle the challenges posed by religious radicalization. Training programs should help them develop strategies that resonate with the lived realities of young people, encourage democratic participation, and create spaces for civic engagement. Migrant and Muslim self-organizations are considered essential allies and should be supported, not sidelined.
The authors urge that topics such as intercultural competence, anti-discrimination, and relationship-building become core components of teacher and social worker training. Professionals must develop confidence in managing religious tensions and be able to identify and respond to signs of radicalization early. To that end, support and counseling services for educators should be significantly expanded.
