Germany: No extra holidays for Muslims in Schleswig-Holstein, authorities say

A recent agreement in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein allowing Muslim employees and students to request unpaid leave on two major Islamic holidays—the first day of Ramadan and the first day of Eid al-Adha—sparked public debate after tabloid headlines suggested Muslims were being granted “extra holidays.”

The contract, signed between the state’s Ministry of Education and the Northern German Association of Islamic Cultural Centers (VIKZ LZ Norddeutschland), formalizes a practice already available to employees and students of other religions. No new legal entitlements are created, and leave remains unpaid, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Germany’s largest tabloid, Bild, initially ran the headline: “In Schleswig-Holstein: Muslims Get Additional Holidays”, claiming the arrangement granted Muslims special benefits. Die Welt and other outlets echoed the claim, while some commentators framed it as potentially disadvantaging non-Muslims.

Legal scholar Mathias Rohe dismissed the controversy, describing the agreement as “completely unremarkable” and consistent with long-standing protections for religious freedom. He noted that civil servants and students from other religious communities have long had similar leave options, such as Catholics observing Corpus Christi or Jewish students taking time off for major holidays.

The clarification has been welcomed by the Central Council of Muslims in Germany (ZMD). Chairman Abdassamad El-Yazidi stressed that the measure is not preferential treatment, but simply a recognition of religious observance, similar to allowances for other non-Christian communities.

Germany’s public holiday regulations are largely state-specific. While national holidays like October 3rd are uniformly observed, many religious holidays are managed at the state level. Students and employees may request leave for religious observance, often unpaid, depending on local regulations. Other states, such as Berlin, North Rhine-Westphalia, Hamburg, and Rhineland-Palatinate, have issued similar guidance for Muslim and minority communities.

In response to public uproar, Bild later issued a clarification: “Muslims do not gain any labor law advantages from this.”

The Schleswig-Holstein agreement reflects Germany’s federal approach to religious freedom and the ongoing effort to balance cultural integration, legal practice, and workplace flexibility.

By Vugar Khalilov