Abdel-Hakim Ourghi, a German Islamic scholar, was rejected permission to teach. One of his colleagues said that this rejection occurred because Ourghi's theological beliefs were considered liberal.

Islamic scholar Susanne Schröter, a friend of Ourghi, said her friend had headed the department of Islamic Theology at the University of Freiburg for nearly a decade. Last month, Ourghi's "ijaza" (license for Islamic teachers) was rejected by the Stiftung Sunnitischer Schulrat or the Stuttgart-based Sunni School Board Foundation.

The foundation was founded in 2019 with the responsibility of teaching Islam in the State of Baden-Württemberg, southwest Germany. The decision sparked accusations that the registration process was carried out to intimidate professors of theology with liberal beliefs.

"Ourghi has a doctorate in Islamic theology and has taught Islamic religious education for many years. The assumption he is technically unsuitable has no basis whatsoever," Schroter said.

Therefore, he believes the reason his friend was expelled from the university was because of his liberal theological beliefs. Ourghi lauds a liberal form of Islam, which contradicts the views of many conservative practitioners.

The foundation did not specify the reason for the rejection of Ourghi. However, they said his academic achievements were not recognized in the diploma order.

According to the foundation's regulations, university professors who train Islamic religion teachers need a teaching degree in Islamic theology, religious education or an equivalent degree. Ourghi has a doctorate in Islamic theology because Islamic religious education degree programs in Germany haven't been around for a long time. The Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Education and Culture has defended the decision.