Task:

Introduction of the advisory board of the Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs (DITIB) to widen the discussion base around the mosque construction in Cologne-Ehrenfeld

To give the debate a broader foundation an advisory board with representatives of all important social groups of Cologne was founded on the recommendation of the agency. The members also acted as speakers and debaters in contacts with the regional, national and Turkish media.

Realisation:

An important measure was introducing the advisory board members to the press with a photo shoot the evening before tthe new mosque plans were announced. The well-reputed advisory board members were meant to intensify the reporting on the new plans and introduce new, positive voices in the public debate.

Task:

Create awareness of the position of Muslims regarding the general attacks by Ralph Giordano in the mosque construction debate in Cologne

In 2007 DIE PR BERATER, within the scope of a pro bono engagement, supported the public relations work of DITIB (Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs), in particular in the often polemic debate about the mosque construction in Cologne-Ehrenfeld - and the integration of Muslims in Germany. Occasion for the photo appointment in particular were the attacks by Ralph Giordano, an intellectual living in Cologne, who across the board accused all Muslims living in Germany of being unable to integrate.

Realisation:

The action was to generate attention for the fact that this polemic itself is not directed towards an anonymous group of people from a different faith, but towards fellow citizens who to a large extent have grown up in Germany. Their feelings were to be introduced in this very emotional discussion as an antipole. With a photo appointment on the occasion of a protest march of Cologne youth with Turkish background against Giordano`s polemics this aim was effectively realised and a higher readiness for fair discussion was achieved.

Task:

Realisation of authors condtributions for the book "Der Moschee-Streit" (The Mosque Debate)

In summer 2007 the editor in chief of the Cologne-based newspaper "Stadtanzeiger" asked DITIB whether they would like to participate as guest authors in the book "Der Moschee-Streit".

Realisation:

DIE PR BERATER convinced DITIB to actively participate within the scope of the book project. The DITIB took part not only with two author`s contributions, but inspired the publisher of the book to include other authors with migration background in the book.

After interviews with the authors and on the basis of previous publications DIE PR BERATER took over the function of a "ghostwriter" and wrote the contributions "Die Kölner Ditib-Moschee - eine offene Moschee als Intergationsbeitrag" (The Cologne Ditib mosque - an open mosque as a contribution to integration") and "Dialog statt Polarisierung" (dialogue instead of polarisation).