Case studies

format: Case studies , I want out of Salafism.

It is difficult to get out of extremist circles: contact with people outside is often broken off, and the pressure comes from the scene itself. This was also the case for Marvin*. The young man had wanted to find out about Islam on the Internet and came across a video of a Salafi preacher. His words fascinated Marvin. He continued his research and chatted with people from his city who shared his enthusiasm.

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format: Case studies , My child is radicalising.

When a teenager turns to Islamist circles, even as a parent you sometimes notice it too late. In the beginning, Büsra's* mother only noticed that her daughter seemed dissatisfied. The girl's best friend came to visit less and less often, and Büsra, who always used to speak at length about school and her circle of friends, became unusually quiet. She spent more and more time in her room in front of the computer and seemed to avoid talking to her parents.

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format: Case studies , Refugee assistance: Is my protégé becoming an Islamist?

It is often difficult to tell whether a person is turning to Islamist circles. This is especially true when you have little insight into the everyday life of a person. This can be the case, for example, for carers who work in institutions such as refugee homes. They do not have close contact with all refugees. The Advice Centre on Radicalsation advises those carers who fear that one of their care subjects might turn to radical Islamism. Bessem’s* carer also took advantage of this opportunity.

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format: Case studies , My son is an IS returnee.

For most families it is a shock when their daughter or son joins the terrorist organisation of the so-called Islamic State (IS). The young people leave their parental home and move out to fight alongside the Islamists. Sometimes the contact breaks off completely. When the child returns to Germany, many parents want one thing above all: to protect their daughter or son.

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format: Case studies , Infidels and Jihad: Is my student only trying to provoke?

Young people are particularly at risk of becoming radicalised. They are often looking for guidance and belonging. Islamist groups such as the Salafists specifically recruit young people and offer them strict value systems and a committed community. If a school child suddenly undergoes radical change, this is often noticed in class. How do you deal with this as a teacher? Teachers can get advice on this from the Advice Centre on Radicalisation. Lukas'* teacher took up this offer.

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format: Case studies , Is my colleague an extremist or just very orthodox?

If you feel that employees are becoming radicalised, you don't just worry about the team. Managers are also jointly responsible for the security of their company or institution. Sometimes it is difficult to judge whether a person is a strong believer or may have turned to Islamist groups. Managers and colleagues can call the experts at the Advice Centre on Radicalisation.

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Who we are

Who we are

We are your first point of contact if you are concerned that someone near you is becoming religiously radicalised, or if you have questions on this subject.

No matter what your questions are, we are happy to advise you on the phone.

If you want, we can put you in touch with a local contact person who will give you specific advice and practical tips on how to deal with your child, friend or student.

We offer advisory services in the languages German, Turkish, English and Russian. On request, we can also offer services in other languages.

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WHEN CAN WE HELP?!

How can I recognise that a person is radicalised or belongs to an Islamist group?

There is no fixed checklist of signs that clearly show that a person is becoming radicalised. However, there are indications that experience has shown to play a role. If many of these apply, this may be an indication that a person is turning to an extreme interpretation of Islam or even radical Islamic groups. You might want to call us if you notice your friend, child, student or co-worker recently

  • has made significantly changes to their previous lifestyle (e.g. eating and sleeping habits, hobbies) and regards their previous one as reprehensible,
  • has withdrawn from friends, class and family and is instead in touch with a new circle of friends, websites or preachers who hold extremist views
  • does not allow any criticism of their own interpretation of Islam and thinks only in black and white ("all those who see it differently are wrong / evil / infidels"),
  • has become increasingly aggressive in defending their religion,
  • started to dream of fighting and dying for Islamist causes.

Do I have to pay anything for the consultation?

No, the consultation is free. Regardless of how long the consultation process takes, you do not have to pay anything.

I am afraid that my child will hurt others, supposedly in the name of their religion – what should I do?

Call us as soon as possible. Our experts will clarify with you whether there is actually a danger to other people. We will discuss the next steps with you.

Who will provide advice to me on the hotline of the Advice Centre on Radicalisation?

Our staff have a lot of experience in providing advice on radicalisation. Our team consists of psychologists, social workers, educators and political and social scientists.

How confidential is the consultation? Will the advice centre inform the security authorities if I contact them?

We keep all calls confidential. We will only pass on your contact details to local consultants with your consent. If you do not want us to, we will simply provide you with the addresses of local counselling centres.

The security authorities will not be informed automatically. However, if it becomes apparent in the course of the consultation that your friend, child, employee or student is a danger to others, we must inform the security authorities – if you have not already contacted them. This is an exceptional case and will only happen after very careful examination of all information and in consultation with you.

The stages of our advisory services

  • Your first contact with us

    If you don’t know what to do next or are simply unsure about the religious beliefs of your child, friend or student, please call us. Our staff will answer all of your questions on the subject of religious radicalisation over the phone. We will be happy to advise you and send you information material on request.

  • Finding a contact person in your area

    If you wish, we can organise a counsellor to visit you in person. All the personnel of the independent counselling centres we work with have experience with religiously motivated radicalisation. As a result, you receive individual counselling with practical advice on how to deal with the situation.

  • Support through our network

    The local counsellors support and accompany you on a long-term basis with professional help. They will show you ways to rebuild trust in the person you care about and what you can do to protect a person from the danger of radicalisation.

  • Exchange with other persons concerned

    At your request we will, if possible, establish contact with other people who are in a similar situation to yours. The exchange helps: other people affected can relate to your fears, doubts and experiences. And you can exchange experiences and tips.

Our cooperation partners are there for you - nationwide.

A nationwide network is formed by the teams of local partners who have been involved in counselling relatives of radicalised persons for several years.

List view

Ministry of the Interior, Digitisation and Migration of Baden-Wuerttemberg

Competence Centre against Extremism in Baden-Wuerttemberg (konex)

postbox: 10 34 65
70029 Stuttgart, Baden-Wuerttemberg

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Bavarian State Office of Criminal Investigation

Competence Centre for Deradicalisation
Maillingerstraße 15
80636 Munich, Bavaria

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Senate Department for the Interior and Sport

Berlin State Commission against Violence
Klosterstraße 47
10179 Berlin, Berlin

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Senator for the Interior of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen

Competence Centre for Deradicalisation and Extremism Prevention (KODEX)
Contrescarpe 22/24
28203 Bremen, Bremen

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Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

Merianstrasse 100
50765 Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia

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Federal Criminal Police Office

Thaerstrasse 11
65173 Wiesbaden, Hesse

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Federal Agency for Civic Education

Adenauer Allee 86
53113 Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia

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Hamburg State Ministry of Labour, Social, Family Affairs and Integration

Advisory Network on Prevention and Deradicalisation
Hamburger Straße 47
22083 Hamburg, Hamburg

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Hessian Ministry of the Interior and Sport

Hessian Information and Competence Centre against Extremism (HKE)
Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 12
65185 Wiesbaden, Hesse

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State Agency for Civic Education of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

State Coordination Office for Democracy and Tolerance
Jägerweg 2
19053 Schwerin, Mecklenburg Western Pomerania

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Competence Centre for the Prevention of Islamism in Lower Saxony

Am Waterlooplatz 11
30169 Hannover, Lower Saxony

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Ministry of the Interior of North Rhine-Westphalia

Friedrichstraße 62-80
40217 Duesseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia

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Ministry for Family, Women, Youth, Integration and Consumer Protection of Rhineland-Palatinate

State Coordination Office for the Prevention of Violence and Extremism of Rhineland-Palatinate
Kaiser-Friedrich-Straße 5a
55116 Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate

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Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Integration Saxony-Anhalt

State Coordination for Islamist extremism prevention in the Team Unit for the Promotion of Democracy and Civic involvement
Turmschanzenstraße 25
39114 Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt

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Saxony State Ministry for Social Affairs and Social Cohesion

Coordination and Advisory Centre for the Prevention of Radicalisation (KORA)
Albertstraße 10
01097 Dresden, Saxony

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Ministry of the Interior, Rural Areas and Integration of Schleswig-Holstein

Ministry of the Interior, Rural Areas and Integration of Schleswig-Holstein
Düsternbrooker Weg 92
24105 Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein

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Advice and consultation network ADERO

Advice and consultation network kitab
Hinter der Mauer 9
28195 Bremen, Bremen

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Aussteigerprogramm Sachsen

postbox: 30 11 25
04251 Leipzig, Saxony

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beRATen e.V. - Beratungsstelle zur Prävention neo-salafistischer Radikalisierung

Herschelstraße 32
30159 Hannover, Lower Saxony

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Fachstelle Bidaya - Prävention von religiös begründetem Extremismus

Project provider: Christliches Jugenddorfwerk Deutschland e. V. im Verbund CJD Nord
Siegfried-Marcus-Straße 45
17192 Waren (Mueritz), Mecklenburg Western Pomerania

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Beratungsnetzwerk Grenzgänger

Project provider: IFAK e.V.
Kortumstraße 106-108
44787 Bochum, North Rhine Westphalia

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Advice and consultation network ADERO

Advice and consultation network kitab
Hinter der Mauer 9
28195 Bremen, Bremen

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PROvention - Prevention and Counselling Centre against Religious Extremism

Project provider: Türkische Gemeinde Schleswig-Holstein
Elisabethstraße 59
24143 Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein

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Specialist centre for Islam in Brandenburg State

Zum Jagenstein 1
14478 Potsdam, Brandenburg

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SALAM - Specialist and advice centre for the prevention of violence and radicalisation

Project management: Hallesche Jugendwerkstatt gGmbH
Heinrich-Franck-Str. 2
06112 Halle, Saxony-Anhalt

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Salam Advice Centre against Islamist Radicalisation

Project sponsor: Landesamt für Soziales, Jugend und Versorgung Rheinland-Pfalz
Rheinallee 97-101
55118 Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate

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Violence Prevention Network gGmbH

Bavaria Advice Centre
Schillerstraße 27
80336 Munich, Bavaria

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Violence Prevention Network gGmbH

Advice Centre Berlin
Haus 2, 3. Obergeschoss
Bergmannstraße 5
10961 Berlin, Berlin

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Violence Prevention Network gGmbH

Hesse Advice Centre
Leipziger Straße 67
60487 Frankfurt am Main, Hesse

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Violence Prevention Network gGmbH

Saxony Advice Centre
Stieglitzstraße 84
04229 Leipzig, Saxony

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Violence Prevention Network gGmbH

Thuringia Advice Centre
Anger 35
99084 Erfurt, Thuringia

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Faith or extremism? format: Broschure, This download is available in other languages

The team of the Advice Centre on Radicalisation is your first point of contact if you have the impression that your child, pupil or friend may be becoming radicalised towards Islamism. Whatever questions you may have, please call us.The brochure issued by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), "Faith or extremism", provides information about the services offered by the Advice Centre on Radicalisation at the BAMF. It can be ordered on the website of the Federal Office.

Do you have further questions?

Is turning to the Islamic faith a sign of radicalisation?

No, as in every religion there are moderate and radical movements in Islam. Even if someone joins a fundamentalist denomination, he or she does not necessarily become a radical Islamist. In the same way, a person can be a strict believer without becoming an extremist.

How long does the consultation last?

There is no fixed period for the duration of a consultation. Sometimes the first consultation can already help to clarify important questions and eliminate uncertainties. Similarly, the advice and support can last several months.

Are there conditions for a consultation?

No. For many callers, an undisturbed, quiet environment and some time is important so that our employee can answer all their questions. It is best to consider before the call what incidents and behaviour of your friend or employee, child or student have concerned you and why you think he or she is becoming radicalised.

Answers to these and other questions about the services offered by the Advice Centre on Radicalisation can be found in our FAQ list.

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